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NOTES 



Mexican War 



1846=4:7=4:8. 



COMPRISING INCIDENTS, ADVENTURES AND EVERYDAY PROCEEDIN(;S 

AND LKl'TEKS WHILE WIIH THE UNTIED STATES ARMY IN THE 

MEXICAN war; ALSO EXTRACTS FROM ANCIENT HISTORIES 

OK MEXICO, {;IVING AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF THE 

FIRS'T AND ORIGINAL SETTLERS OF MEXICO, ETC.; 

ALSO THE NAMES AND NUMBERS OF THE 

DIFFERENT RULERS OF MEXICO; ALSO 

INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH. 



J. JACOB OSWANDKL, 

I.ATK OK Co. C, First Rkct. Pknna. Vols. 



RKN'IST^D ISSo. 



ILLUSTRATED. 



liULADIiLl'III.A; 
1 « « D . 



1^97 



INTRODUCTION 



When the United States Government first declared war 
against the republic of Mexico, Pennsylvania was called upon 
to fi.irnish two regiments of soldiers. 

Francis R. Shunk. then Governor of Pennsylvania, issued 
his proclamation calling upon the militia and citizens of the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to rally to the support of our 
national honor and to sustain the flag of our beloved country, 
which was then trailed and trampled in the dust on our frontier. 
The time when this proclamation was issued, the author of 
this book was then living above Lewistown, Mifflin county. 
Pa., following boating in the capacity of bowsman on the canal 
boat " Mary," of McVeytown, of the same county, carrying 
freight and running between Hollidaysburg and Philadelphia. 

We were on our last trip, it being in the early part of the 
cold month of December, 1846, the boats having hard work 
to contend with in breaking the ice. 

We arrived at Harrisburg about the 9th of December ; 
here we were met by Mr. Daniel M. Dull, the proprietor 
of our boat, who informed us that Adjutant-General George 
W. Bowman had chartered the boat to take a company of 
soldiers to Hollidaysburg, Pa.; the company of soldiers who 
happened to come on our boat were the Monroe Guards, of 
Philadelphia, Capt. William F. Small, commanding. 

Having always had the inclination of cither going into the 
United States Navy, or joining the United States Army, and 
particularly since the war and struggle with Mexico, the desired 
opportunities were now before me. 

Having passed the age of twenty-one, I had already started 
out into life for myself, being thus young and healthy, and 
naturally ambitious for new enterprises and excitement, and 
had nothing to confine myself to any particular locality. 



^ INTRODUCTION. 

The world was before me, nothing to leave behind me, ex- 
cept parents, brothers, sisters and friends. I concluded to fol- 
low that inclination by enlisting in Capt. William F. Small's 
Co. C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to serve 
during the war with Mexico unless sooner discharged. 

Our regiment was, fortunately, attached to Gen. Scott's 
army, who dared to invade the soil of the Montezumas and 
teach an arrogant foe the bloody lessons of war, and dictate 
to over six millions of people the terms of the Treaty of 
Guadaloupe Hidalgo. 

After the close of that war we returned home with impaired 
health — many without friends and relatives ; shattered with a 
disease, contracted in a strange country and a hot climate, 
which, in a few years after the war, had taken from their 
homes more than one-half of those who returned. 

Some of our comrades have been fitly rewarded, by a 
grateful people, to the highest position in the gift of our 
people. 

Gens. Zachariah Taylor, Frank Pierce and Ulysess S. Grant 
have been elected to the Presidency of the United States. 
Others, who, probably, were less ambitious, have found in 
the pursuit of private life a congenial occupation, and content 
with the reputation of their past deeds, desire to be known as 
citizens of good report and as veterans of the Mexican War. 

The soldiers who fought through fire and blood from Vera 
Cruz to the capital of Mexico — a distance of nearly three 
hundred miles, which had to be fought foot by foot until the 
towers of the halls of Montezumas were stormed and taken, 
without a single retreat or defeat — have a just cause to be 
proud of their participation in that eventful struggle ; and by 
their valor they subdued an insolent foe and greatly widened 
the area of nearly three hundred and sixty-four million acres 
of land to the government which called them to its assistance. 

During this triumphant and memorable campaign, the 
author of this book kept a journal, and noted down every 
day's proceedings, from the first day of his enlistment until 



INTRODUCTION. 5 

his honorable discharge in the city of Philadelphia, July 29, 
1848. 

Many a thint^- may have been written in this book, which 
young men will eventually do, which at this advanced ao-e of 
sixty looks foolish, but it is, as far as my observation, all true. 

It also gives me pleasure to mention (and my friends will 
so testify) that I never failed to answer to my name at roll- 
call (except ten days while lying sick at Pueblo City with 
diarrhoea and cold, &c.). 

NOTE. — The long delay in presenting to the public this \Yoik was 
for the want of finances, and I thank God that he has spared my life to 
have raised sufficient funds to publish this book. Yours, 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS. 



/. — Intcnlion and Enlistment — Mustered into the United Slates Service — 
Election of Field Officers — Departnre from Pittsburgh on Steatn- 
boats — On the Ohio and Alississippi Rivers — Arrived at Algiers, 
opposite New Orleans— Encampment on the Old Battle-field of 
Gen. Jackson'' s Achievement — Embarkation on Ships for the 
Scat of War — Arrived at Brazos Satttiago — Left that place for 
Island of Lobos — Arrival^Startcd for Anton Lizardo — Arrival 
at Anton Lizardo — Preparing to Land. 

II. — Landing beloiu Vera Cruz — Storming the Sand-hills — Surrounding 
the City — Col. Harney's Dragoon Fight — Bombardment of the 
City — Articles of Agreement to Surrender Vera Cruz — Mexican 
Army Marching out and .Stacking their Arms — First Visit to the 
City — Inspection of the Forts — Our Army of 10,000 Men leaving 
for the Capital of Mexico — Toilsome Marcliing — Arrival at Plan 
Del Rio — Gen. Twiggs Meets the Enemy — Preparing to Storm 
the Heights — He is Ordered to take Possession of a Hill — Gen. 
Scott's General Order No. iii to attack Cerro Gordo. 

III. — Battle of Cerro Gordo — Victory Complete — Routing of the Ene7iiy in 
all Directions — Capture of j, 000 Prisoners, 4J pieces of Artillery, 
some Bronze, 07/er J, 000 Stand of Arms, no end of Ammunition, 
Provisions &^c., over $jo 000 in Specie, Santa Anna's Private 
Carriage, Cork Leg; also his Saddle — F'ollo7ving the Flvin<y 
F.nemy — Capture of Jalapa City — Perote Castle and Pueblo City 
— Arrival and Camp near Jalapa — Arrii'ul of Gen. Scott at 
Perote Castle — The Castle a Political Prison — Battle of Las 
Vegas — Preparing to leave Perote. 

IV. — Gen. George Cad^valader Arrived at Perote — Left Perote and Arrived 
at Tepegahualco or Zempollan — El Pinol Pass — Art-ival at 
Pueblo City — The Great Catholic Cathedral — Attend Church — 
The Poiver of the Church and its Subjects — Ancient City of 
Cholula — Number of Churches — " The Leg L L.eft Behind Me." 

V. — Gen. Scott's Army left Pueblo for City of Mexico — Aluch Discontent- 
vient — A Gala Day for Those luho Went — Murderous Outrage — 
Good News from Gen. Scott — " .So Far Victorious" — Mule Fight, 
14 Men Killed — Revolution of Hidalgo — Gen. A'ea Issues a 
Proclamation — Col. Childs and Gen. Rea Meet to Exchange 
Prisoners — Exciting Neivs from Guadaloupe Heights — Revolu- 
tion of Hidalgo in 1810. 



CONTENTS. 

/ 7. — Sii'^'-e of Pueblo — Atiierican Forces, 384 Men; Mexican Forces, from 
2,000 to sometimes 8,000 Strong — Dispatches from Gen. Scott — 
He is Victorious in ail his Engage mettts in the Valley — Capture 
of the Capital of Mexico, September 14, 184^ — Great Excitement 
anil foy among the Troops — J'olunteereil to go on Picket Duty — 
//()/ Firing— Gen. Santa Anna Arrii'dl at the Outskirts of the 
City of Pueblo — He Demands the Surroider of the American 
Forces at Pueblo — Col. Childs\ our Military and Civil Governor, 
most Finphatw Refusal to Surrender — Twenty-sixth Anniversary 
of Agustus Iturbida of Mexican Independence — Goi. Santa Anna 
Makes Sei'eral Desperate Attempts to Drive our Forces out of 
Pueblo : but, as usual, Defeated in each Attempt — Gett. Santa 
I Anna leaves Pueblo to Meet Gen. Lane's Forces -Ringing of 
: Church Bells and Firing of Rockets — Gen. Lane, with i,Joo 
* Men. arrives at Pueblo — Great Refoici)ig a?nong our Men — 
The Fncmv are Drij'cn Out — Death of Capt. Samuel H. Walker. 

VI I.— Gen. /.ane's Number of Reinforcements — List of Killed and Wounded 
During the .Siege — Gen. Lane Issues his Proclamation for the 
Citizens to Open tJieir Stores — Gen. Lane in Hot Pursuit of 
Santa .Inna and Padre faurote — Execution of Mr. Leonard — 
Chargi)ig upon our 0>i"''^t;rmastei-'s Warehouse, Stored icith 
Tobacco — Left Pueblo to Escort a Train to Vera Cruz — Numbers 
' ('/" Priests — People Held in Ignorance in Small Towns — Aly 

Knapsack Stolen — A7-rived on the Old Battle-field of Cerro 
Gordo — Arrival of Gen. Pattersoti' s Forces — Camp at falapa — 
Execution of two American Teamsters and tiuo Mexican Officers 
— Capt. Small leaves tis to take his Seat in the State Senate — 
Arrived back to Pueblo City ~ Remain for Azahile. 

VI II. — Compelled to .Stay in Pueblo — The Catholic Religion — What it Used to 
Cost to Sustain It — Arrival of Gen. Wm. O. Butler — Train 
from J 'era Cruz — Left Pueblo — Arrival at Rio Frio — The Deep 
Cut to Drain the City of Mexico — El Penon Pass — .Irrived in 
the City — Saw Enough Greasers to Drive Out our .Ir my — Camp 
at .Sii/i .Angel — A Christmas in. the City — Scandalous Action of 
the Secular Clergy in Mexico — City of Mexico the Metropolic 
Capital of Mexico. ^^ ' 

IX. — Bull Fights in Mexico — Visit to the Castle Chapultepec — Alameda 
Park — The Cypress Trees — The Catholic Cathedral : its Dimen- 
sions, its Idols, Weallh,Qfc. — The Sofig of'^ Derry Down " — Tlas- 
calla City and its Ancient History — The Retnoval of Gen. Scott 
from his Victorious Army — Gen. Wm. O. Butler Appointed in 
his Place — Excitement Amongst the Soldiers — The Anniversary 
of the Mexican Revolution, freeing them from the Spanish Rule- — 
Gen. Winfield Scott's Letter of Grievance to the Secretary of 
War, Hon. Wm. L. Marcy. ^ ^ j" 



CONTENTS. 9 

A'. — Poor India IK — Flrsi AniiiiJersary of the Landing of Vera Cruz — 
Death of Gen. / 'aleneia — Account of the Bull Fight in Mexico — 
Lients. llare and Dutton, of the Second Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, .i ceased of Murdering a Banker — First Anni-i'ersary 
vf the Battle of Cerro (iordo — A Holy Thursday — 77/1? Poor 
Lepers — Gens. Paredus, Alinonia and Bustat?iente — Great Excite- 
ment on Account of Prospect of Peace — Taking up the Dead — 
Bill of Tare — Ho7o Coffee is Made — Lieut s. Hare and Dutton 
Sentenced to be Hung — Another Visit to the City — A Treat with 
a High-toned Senor — Kare History of Mexico — Montezuma the 
Ninth Ruler of Mexico — His Life — A Treaty of Peace Signed, 
Causing Great Excitement Amongst the Soldiers — Lieuts. Hare 
and Dutton Pardoned, hat to be Kept Under Arrest until Land- 
ing at A>7i7 Orleans. ^ ~(^ ^ 

XL — First Original Settlers in Mexieoi—A'ames and Numbers of Rulers of 
A/exico — Our Departure from the City for " Home, Sweet Home " 
— Poetry: " We are Coming Home" — Chalco and its Ancient 
History — Arrival at Pueblo — Grand Reception, with Cheers and 
Clapping of Hands by the Senoritas as we Marched Throtigh the 
City — Arrived and Camped at El Encerro — Left Here and 
Arrived at Vera Cruz — Talk with Some of the Umbres—'' Will 
it Pay to Visit Mexico ?" — Embarked and Left Vera Cruz, with 
Cheers, for Home — -Poetic — '■'■Good-Bye to Mexico''^ — Arrival at 
N'etu Orleans — Meet taith a Grand Reception at Cincinnati — 
Arrived at Beaver and Economy — Harmony Society Formed — 
Reception at Pittsburgh— -Arrived at yohnstoxvn on the Summit 
{.Mc Veytoivn) at j locks — Lewistown — Grand Reception on the 
Road and at Harrisburg and Lancaster — Memoir of Early 
Childhood, Long Gone By. 

Xlf. — L^eaving Lancaster in the Midst of Cheers — Meet witli a Grand 
Reception at Philadelphia, with a Grand Dinner at the Chinese 
Museutn, on Alnth Street belo^v Chestnuts-Speeches and Songs 
Suitable for the Occasion — Taken to Third Street Hall, Corner of 
Third and iVillo'cv Streets, kept by Gen. Hall^Receiving our 
Discharge from the Army — Bidding Good-Bye to our Comrades — 
List of Names of the Company — Those who Died or were Dis- 
charged from the Army — Table of Distance from Vera Cruz to the 
City of Mexico — 7he Formation of the Scott Legion — Twenty- 
fifth Anni'L'ersary of the Battle of Cerro Gordo —Speech on the 
■ O.caiion. 




J JACOB OSWANDEL. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 



CHAPTER I. 

INTENTION AND ENLISTMENT — MUSTERED INTO THE UNITED 
STATES SERVICE — ELECTION OF FIELD OFFICERS DE- 
PARTURE FROM PITTSBURGH ON STEAMBOAT — ON THE OHIO 

AND MISSISSIPPI RIVERS ARRIVED AT ALGIERS OPPOSITE 

NEW ORLEANS ENCAMPED ON THE OLD BATTLE-FIELD OF 

GEN. Jackson's achievement — embarked on board of 

SHIPS FOR THE SEAT OF WAR ARRIVED AT BRAZOS SANTI- 
AGO LEFT AND ARRIVED AT ISLAND OF LOBOS — LEFT LOBOS 

FOR ANTON LIZARDO — ARRIVED AT ANTON LIZARDO — PRE- 
PARING TO LAND. 

Friday, December ii, 1846. — To-day, after we arrived at 
Lewistown, Pa., Louis Bymaster and myself, also of that 
town, came to the conclusion to enlist in a soldier company 
to serve in the United States Army during the Mexican 
war. Mr. Bymaster wanted to join some dragoon company 
but I preferred the volunteer infantry. He then said that he, 
Bymaster, would follow me, and concluded to join the com- 
pany now on our boat and go and stick together, if we lived, 
during the Mexican war. 

Saturday, December 12, 1846. — This morning after we 
arrived at Huntingdon, Bymaster and myself had fully made 
up our minds to enlist in Capt. William F. Small's Co. 
C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to serve during 
the war with Mexico, unless sooner discharged. 

We mentioned our intention of enlistment to Mr. Bently 
(a member of the company), who took us into the cabin 



12 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

and introduced us to the Captain as new recruits. The 
Captain shook hands, and expressed himself highly pleased 
that we had made up our minds to join his company, and 
he hoped that we would never have occasion to regret 
it. The roll-book was then laid upon the table, after which 
we signed it. The Captain then again shook hands, con- 
gratulated us in a neat and well appropriate speech stating 
of our destination and prospect of triumphant victories in 
Mexico. Lieut. Aquilla Haines, who also was present, shook 
hands and said that he knew from our motive and activity on 
board of the boat that we would make good soldiers, and as long 
as we obey orders, as soldiers should do, we will find no better 
officer in the regiment. We then left the cabin of the boat 
and followed our usual occupation on the boat until we arrived 
at Hollidaysburg. During the day I informed my brother 
Frederick, who was also employed on the same boat, of what 
I had done and of my future destination. He seemed to be 
much surprised, and all he said was, well, I suppose you know 
your own business best, and all I can wish you is that you 
may keep your health, good luck, and a safe and triumphant 
return home again. The company of soldiers we have thus 
joined are entirely strangers to us, and we to them, they (with 
the exception of a delegation of eight men from Little York, 
who enrolled themselves at Harrisburg,) hailing from the city 
of Philadelphia. Mr. Louis Bymaster and myself are both from 
Lewistown, Pa., and Avill no doubt feel a little s/iyiwss for a 
while, but I hope before long, and particularly when we get 
into camp, we may be well acquainted and pleased with our 
choice. 

Sunday, December 13, 1846. — This morning about 7 o'clock 
we arrived at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and for the first time took 
breakfast with the soldier company at Mr. Reynold's hotel. 
After breakfast I went back to the boat " Mary " to take a final 
good-bye of my brother and friends, and addressed them in 
these words, " FViends, I have enlisted and signed the United 
States muster roll to serve during the war with Mexico, and 



NOTKS OF THE MFATCMN WAR. Vi 

that I will not flinch or desert from it. Nay ; I will go 
forward with the company, let the consequences be what 
they may, and fight for the good old State of Pennsylvania 
as long as my two arms swing." (Cheers.) " Again, I 
will state that you can all rest assured that I will not dis- 
honor the old Keystone State. Nay, I will ever stand by 
its colors as long as there is breath of life within me." 
(Cheers.) After this I shook hands with all my friends, and 
instructed my brother Frederick about my private affairs. I 
then joined our company, took the cars and ascended the 
Allegheny mountains, up five plains and five down. When 
we arrived at the top of the first plain, I looked back on the 
magnificent scene. The valley dotted with farm houses, the 
foaming and rapid Little Juniata river below us, presented a 
glorious view to the delighted eye. After the cars were at- 
tached to the engine and started, I, with the wave of my hand, 
bade good-bye to the " Mary," early scenes and exploits on and 
along the Juniata river. We arrived at Johnstown, Pa., about 
4 o'clock, P. M., and by the invitation of the citizens we par- 
took of a good supper. 

History tells us that Johnstown was called after Joseph 
Johns, a pushing, enterprising and liberal German citizen, who 
was also one of the first settlers in this section of the country. 
It is a lively little town, and I find that there is a great trade 
and business transacted here in trans-shipment of goods. 
After supper we left Johnstown on a canal boat, chartered to 
take the company to Pittsburgh- We have plenty of good 
straw to lay upon, and are passing our time first rate ; some 
are singing our national songs, some are playing cards, and 
others are trying to sleep 

Monday, December 14, 1846. — This morning, about 8 
o'clock, we arrived at the beautiful little town called Blairs- 
ville. The citizens met us with drums and fifes, and escorted 
the company to the main square. Here we were divided into 
squads, and then taken to different hotels and private houses 
to breakfp.st. After doing justice to the free gift, we then 



14 NOTKS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

strolled about town, findini;:^ it well laii.1 out. and a fine bridge 
across the river named Conemauy,"h. The people are very 
clever and intelligent. The town was named after John Blair, 
one of the early pioneers of this section o( the country. 

The drums beat, we were ordered on board, and left Blairs- 
ville with three hearty cheers from the citizens on shore. On 
our way we passed Liverpool, Saltsburg, Lockport, and Leech- 
burg. Saltsburg is an old village ; it got its name from the 
salt works, which are plenty, and seemed to be in full opera- 
tion. Leechburg is named after David Leech, one o( the 
most enterprising citizens in rennsyKania. He is the head 
man of the forwarding and commission line of David Leech 
^ Sons. They have a line of canal boats and cars running 
between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. I had the pleasure of 
seeing the old gentleman, and he looks like a jolly, good- 
hearted mail. During the day we mingled and conversed witli 
the different members of the company, and we found them to 
be a social and jolly set of men, and expressed themselves 
well pleased with our coining into their company. We also 
called upon the Little York delegation, so called on account 
of their hailing from Little York. Pa. They are a fine set of 
young men, jocular and mirthful in manner, full of talk and 
wit. They wanted Bymaster and I to join their mess after we 
arrived at the camp-ground. New Orleans, but we made no 
promise. To-day being fine most of the company were walk- 
ing on the tow-path, going into the beer and ginger-bread. Our 
journey to-day has been a weary one ; nothing could be seen 
but rocks and hills surrounding us on every side. This evening 
the weather is growing colder, and I find our boat has a hard 
time in fighting its way through the ice. To-night our sol- 
diers are wrapping tliemselves tightly up in their blankets and 
straw beds, and snoring. 

T//eSt/(n\ Di'Cc'nibi'r 15. 1S46. — This morning after a cold 
nights iournc\- we arrixed at Freeport, here we got oft' tlie 
boat and formed into line on the tow-path, and then divided 
into squads, and were then taken to difierent private 



NOTKS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 15 

houses to breakfast, which \vas a good one, being one of 
the old fashion — buckwheat cakes, sausages and n-e coffee. 

After breakfast I viewed the village and found it to be a 
liveh- little place situated on the right bank of the Alle- 
ghen\' ri\-er ; below it is a splendid aqueduct across a small 
stream called Buffalo creek. I also noticed different salt 
works in full force, and the people, like all along the route, are 
remarkably clever. 

At 8 o'clock we were again ordered on board and left 
Freeport and passed the towns of Warren and Sharpsburg. 
Sharpsburg seems to be a flourishing town, and from what I 
can see there seems to be a great deal of business done. The 
people look like hardworking, enterprising and thrifty people. 
The scener}' from here to Pittsburgh is beautiful. About 
noon we arrived in the city of Pittsburgh, and some of our 
men who never had been in Pittsburgh before were perfectly 
disgusted at the idea of sta\-ing in such a smoky city. 
After we got on shore and formed into line we marched to 
the wharf where we quartered in one of the large warehouses. 
This has dissatisfied and discouraged many of the soldiers; 
having no stoves or any place to make a fire. The weather 
being ver\' cold makes it still more unpleasant for the boys. 
In the evening some of our members left the quarters and 
went to the hotels and boarding houses to get something to 
eat and a comfortable night's lodging. Myself having never 
been raised with a silver spoon in my mouth, and for the last 
six years ha\'ing been used to l\'ing on hard bunks and 
rough living, don't mind this kind of rough usage, and all 
these growlers will have to get over their fancy idea of living 
and get used to the hardships of soldier-life and living. To- 
night I had a chat with the Yorkers and they are laughing 
their fist full about these city fellows finding fault about our 
quarters and rations ; they will all get used to it before the war 
with Mexico is over. I bet they will. 

The following are the names of the Little York delegation : 
Peter i\hl, Henrj' Alburtus Welsh, Jacob Banner, William 



.16 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Eurick, Thomas Zeigle, Samuel Stair, Robert Patterson, 
William Patterson. 

Wednesday, December i6, 1846. — This morning after we had 
something to eat, Bymaster, Welsh, Newman and myself 
promenaded through the principal streets of Pittsburgh, also 
to the packet boat landing, here we find that nearly all the 
soldiers belonging to the First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers had arrived, which makes the streets full of 
soldiers. The ladies, and particularly the factory girls, seemed 
to be very sociable and talkative. They swell around the 
soldiers as if they were in love with them ; they talk in a pitiful 
tone of the dangerous risk in time of war, and particularly in a 
foreign land to fight. About noon we returned to our 
quarters, when we were told to form into line, after which we 
marched to the American Hotel, where we partook of a 
splendid dinner served up at the company's expense, and 
after doing justice to the good eatables on the table we de- 
parted in broken ranks highly pleased with the food and also 
delighted with the proceedings. In the afternoon we walked 
along the wharves on the Ohio river side and found it to be 
one of the greatest business marts that I ever saw, it beats 
Philadelphia. Steamboats and canal boats were all busy in 
loading and reloading merchandise for the Western and 
Eastern markets. 

In the evening a party of us soldiers visited the theatre, 
which was well attended by citizens and soldiers ; when the 
play was about half over in rushes a party of rowdies and half 
drunken soldiers, going by the name of " Killers," of the district 
of Moyamensing, Philadelphia, belonging to Co. D, First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, rushing in past the door- 
keeper, entered the theatre, whooping and yelling like so many 
wild Indians. Tl)e police attempted to put them out when 
they cried out "Go in. Killers!" "Go in, Killers!" which caused 
a regular row, fjghting and knocking one another down; finally 
quiet was again restored and the play went on without any more 
disturbance. Ii) this row one of our members, named William 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 17 

Mullon, (not McMullin,) accidentally had his head badly cut in 
several places, and after the theatre was over we returned to 
our quarters and turned into our bunks. 

TJiiirsday, December ly, 1846. — This morning we received 
orders for all the soldiers to be in their quarters at 8 o'clock, 
sharp, which orders were obeyed. After we were all in, the 
Officer of the Day placed a guard at the front door with strict 
orders not to let any one of the soldiers out. At 10 o'clock, 
A. M., we were formed into line and then marched to some 
kind of a barrack ; here we were ordered to halt until our 
names were called, when we were mustered into the United 
States service by Dr. King, a jolly old fellow, who made some 
mirthful and joking remarks to nearly every one he mustered. 

After we were all mustered we were again ordered into line 
and marched back to our quarters, here we were addressed 
by Capt. Small, in a good and well appropriate speech, 
which was much admired and applauded by the company. 
Capt. Small I find is a ready off-hand speaker, full of wit, 
intellect and talent, as well as very active in his motions. We 
were then again dismissed and at liberty for the day. In the 
afternoon eight of us soldiers went over to Allegheny City 
and visited the large manufactories, and I assure you we had 
a good deal of fun and sport with the factory girls, and I 
would judge by their movements that some of the girls were 
in love with some of our soldiers ; I said to one of the girls, 
that I thought it was a bad time to fall in love with the 
soldiers now, for remember Johnny is enlisted for the war with 
Mexico, and God knows whether he will live to return to his 
love. Many of these girls gave us their address, and we 
promised them that if we lived to return from the war to call 
upon them as they will be much pleased to see us and listen to 

the tales of the Mexican War. After shaking hands and k 

we left and visited several other large manufactories ; at dusk 
we returned to our quarters, where we found our company 
busy in preparing tickets for to-morrow's election. Our 
company is, of course, solid for Capt. Small for Colonel of the 
2 



18 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers; Samuel W. Black, 
of Pittsburgh, for Lieut.-Colonel, and Francis L. Bowman, of 
Wilkesbarre, for Major. To-night a party of rowdy soldiers 
holloaed and hurrahed for Wynkoop, of Pottsville, for Colonel. 
To-morrow will tell who is who. Good-night. 

Friday^ December i8, 1846. — This morning the soldiers 
were nearly all up by daylight getting themselves ready for 
the election for field officers of our regiment. 

Our company, (C) will try their utmost efforts to elect 
Capt. William F. Small to the rank of Colonel of the First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and if not elected, that 
Captain and his friends are willing to submit to the majority. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., the election polls were opened, and 
generally, like at all other elections, fighting and knocking 
one another down was the order of the day. Some of our 
company fought like bull dogs if anyone said aught against 
Capt. Small. The row was kept up by the different parties 
concerned nearly the whole day. 

In the evening at 6 o'clock the polls were closed, and there 
was a good deal of excitement going on while the votes were 
counted off, and everything appeared to look favorable for the 
election of Capt. Wm. F. Small to the Colonelship. This 
was the opinion of the majority of the officers, as well as the 
soldiers, who seemed to know something, but to our sad dis- 
appointment, when the official returns were read off it resulted 
in the choice of Francis M. Wynkoop, of Pottsville, for Colonel; 
Samuel W. Black, of Pittsburgh, for Lieut.-Colonel; Francis 
L. Bowman, of Wilkesbarre, Major; and Alexander Brown, of 
Philadelphia, appointed Adjutant of the regiment. The elec 
tion of Wynkoop and Bowman causes great rejoicing among 
the country soldiers. About 10 o'clock this evening the 
officers elected were serenaded and made speeches suitable for 
the times, and Capt. Small was also called upon and said that 
he was not disheartened on account of his defeat, that he felt 
proud of the complimentary votes he received, and that he 
was going with his company and help to fight the battles in 




CAPT. WM. F. SMALL, 
Co, C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. 



20 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Mexico; and he urged every soldier who voted for him to 
rally and to stick to the officers elected. (Great applause.) 

The night was mostly spent in drinking, fighting, and walk- 
ing and yelling around the streets of Pittsburgh, in fact, there 
was no use for anyone to go to sleep. 

Saturday^ December 19, 1846. — This morning I noticed 
several of our company and others having black eyes and cut 
heads, all from the election yesterday. 

After we had our breakfast a party of us soldiers devoted 
our time to visiting several steamboats to ascertain which 
ones are chartered to take the soldiers to New Orleans, but 
failed to find anything out. So we left and visited the Pitts- 
burgh Penitentiary and several other public buildings, such as 
the Western University, Court House, and the Western Theo- 
logical Seminary in Allegheny City ; from here is some of 
the most picturesque scenery in and around the immediate 
countiy. 

At noon we returned to our quarters, and at 2 o'clock, 
p. M., we received orders to march to the American House 
to be paid ofif. Each soldier received twenty-one dollars, with 
a deduction of five dollars and fifty cents from each man for 
expenses incurred on our way to Pittsburgh, while ten cents 
would have paid for all that we got, for everything along the 
canal was given to the soldiers gratis by the citizens. 

This caused a considerable fuss, as there seemed to be no 
account given of the appropriation made by the State of Penn- 
sylvania for this express purpose. In the evening our com- 
pany received an invitation to attend divine services to-morrow 
at 10 o'clock, A. M., which was accepted. 

Late this evening I noticed several boxes of musketry in 
our quarters, and it was not long before they were opened and 
each soldier picked out and helped himself to a musket. 
They are all old flint muskets, marked Harper's Ferry, U. S. 

Later, every soldier who had helped himself to a musket 
was ordered to put the musket back into the boxes, as they 
are not to be opened or used until we arrive at New Orleans ; 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 21 

so there was another growHiifr. To-night it commenced to 
snow and was very cold, which made the boys quiet, and 
they wrapped themselves up snugly in their blankets and 
straw beds. 

Sunday December 20, 1846. — This morning, about 9 o'clock, 
we were formed into line, and after going through a little 
drill, Capt. Small stepped to the front and made a few com- 
plimentary remarks, hoping that every soldier will behave 
themselves as soldiers, after which we marched to the Presby- 
terian Church, which was well filled, no doubt from curiosity, 
and to have a good look at the soldiers. We were taken up 
to the front, where seats were provided for us, and seated, 
and listened to an excellent sermon, suitable for the occasion. 
Greatest decorum prevailed among the soldiers ; in fact, the 
soldiers I noticed seemed to take a deep interest and listened 
silently to every word the minister spoke ; and I also noticed 
that the fair and bright eyes of the ladies rested heavy upon 
most of our men during the ceremony. An orderly sergeant 
came into the church with a note from the Adjutant of our 
regiment to Capt. Small, calling him out. Here he received 
orders from the Adjutant to prepare his company for to leave 
Pittsburgh in the morning for New Orleans. The church 
looks like a well built one, and inside has a good imitation of 
marble blocks. The organ is a splendid piece of workman- 
ship, very fine toned. The singing was exceedingly good ; 
their anthem was ''Gird on your Armor," which was sung 
by the whole choir, as well as by some of our soldiers. After 
church let out many of the people shook hands with nearly all 
of the soldiers, wishing us all good health, and God to be with 
us on our journey. In the afternoon the soldiers mostly took 
to carousing around the city and bidding good-bye to the citi- 
zens, telling them that we will be off for Mexico to-morrow. 
This evening a good many citizens came to our quarters, talk- 
ing about Mexico and the many battles that will have to be 
fought before peace will be made. To-night most every man 
is busy in packing up and preparing to leave this smoky city 
for the seat of war. Some I notice are writing letters. 



22 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Mo7iday, December 21, 1846. — This morning the soldiers 
were all up early, and busy in packing up their knapsacks. 
At 10 o'clock, A. M., we were formed into line, and after listen- 
ing to a little speech from our Captain, we were ordered to 
march to the wharf and embark on board of one of the finest 
steamboats that runs on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, 
known by the name of " Messenger." Capt. Jas. Nagle's 
Co. B, also of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
came on board with us. There are two companies of soldiers 
allowed on each steamboat. There being ten companies in 
our regiment, it will, therefore, take five steamboats to take our 
regiment to New Orleans. After all the soldiers got on board 
of their respective steamers, we pushed off the shore amid 
the deafening cheers of the citizens on shore, and in return 
some of our men got a little cannon, placed it on the bow of 
the boat, and sent forth peals that shook the boats. The 
steamboats that had steam up blew their whistles as we passed 
them. We are now passing down the river, and are losing 
sight of Pittsburgh, but its black, smoking clouds could be 
seen for a long distance. On our way we passed the towns of 
Economy, Freedom, Rochester and Beaver. 

Tuesday^ December 22, 1846. — This morning after breakfast 
I went on the hurricane deck to take a view of the beautiful 
Ohio river. The river is full of wild ducks and other wild 
game. The weather is cold, it is now snowing, but this don't 
seem to drive the soldiers off the hurricane deck. All are too 
anxious to see the steamboats running up and down the river. 
To-day we passed Newport, Marietta, Ohio ; Parksburg and 
Belleville, Va. All quiet to-night. 

Wednesday^ December 23, 1846. — This morning while we 
were eating breakfast, one of our men came running into the 
cabin and reported to us that there were several deer on the 
opposite side of the river bank. We, of course, hurried on deck 
for the purpose of seeing them, and sure enough, they were 
just leaving, running through the thicket woods. The Ohio 
river is full of floating ice and wild ducks. The weather 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 23 

to-day is fair, and the scenery is most delightful and very inter- 
esting, it not being so hilly or mountainous. 

To-day we passed numerous little towns. Their names I 
failed to get. They are mostly all situated along the river 
shore, and some are well laid out and promise to tell well in the 
future. Many of the citizens along the river had the Ameri- 
can flag flying over their house-tops and on poles in honor of 
us soldiers, and at many places we perceived the ladies waving 
their lily white hands and handkerchiefs from the doors, win- 
dows and house-tops of their humble cottages on shore, and 
no doubt from some of the fair damsels who has or had a near 
and dear friend in the American army. 

The soldiers, I am glad to say, are all passing their time 
first-rate. There seems to be no quarreling or any ill feeling 
between them, in fact, they act more like so many brothers in 
place of strangers, for it will be remembered that Co. B, is 
from Pottsville, and our Co. C, from Philadelphia. 

To-night I notice that most of our soldiers are passing their 
time in playing cards and singing. 

Tliursday, December 24, 1846. — This morning after break- 
fast our company made up a penny purse for the purpose of 
getting up a supper ; each man paid in fifty cents. A commit- 
tee was appointed to wait on the captain of the steamboat, 
who, by-the-by, is a good hearted old fellow, to ask permis- 
sion for the use of the cabin room for a Christmas eve ball 
to-night ; the permission was granted with pleasure. To-day 
we passed the towns of Rome, Manchester, Ohio ; and Mays- 
ville, Dover, Kentucky ; Mechanicsburg, Palestine, Ohio ; all 
seemed to be flourishing villages. This evening after supper 
was over, everything was got in readiness for the grand eve 
ball, which I must confess was a fine affair and well conducted, 
our Little York friends enjoyed themselves first-rate. The 
captain of the steamboat " Messenger " and all the other officers 
mingled themselves with the soldiers, and you can rest 
assured that we had some of the tallest kind of sport that I 
ever saw, and we did not stop until the clock struck twelve, 



24 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

night. So in honor of our Saviour's birthday broke up the 
froHc, all highly delighted and pleased with the first Christmas 
eve ball spent on the Ohio river. 

Friday, December 25, 1846. — This morning is Christmas, 
and the first one that I ever spent so far from home ; it seems 
odd to me to be so far from home on Christmas day, although 
there is plenty of amusements and frolicing going on around me 
to entice me from my weary thoughts, but for all this I cannot 
help to think of the many Christmases I spent at home. Our 
cooks who were detailed yesterday to cook our Christmas 
dinner are busy in preparing the turkeys, chickens and 
many other good things. About i o'clock, p. m., the much 
looked for good things began to make their appearance on the 
table, extending the full length of the cabin. About an half 
hour later the door-way was crowded, all anxious to get in 
and be first to the table. The gong rung, then you should 
seen the rush and tumble for the best seats, and I am sorry to 
say the soldiers did not eat like men should have done, but like 
s'o many starved liogs. They of course all went and reached 
for the turkeys, chickens, &c., dug right into the good things, 
and the roughest and best men got the most, while such quiet 
and moral men like me had to pick the bones. I thought to 
myself this has been the first penny purse I ever joined and 
I think it will be the last one. 

In the afternoon we arrived and stopped at Newport, Ky., 
opposite Cincinnati, here we remained all afternoon and 
evening with strict orders to let no soldier go on shore, but as 
a matter of course all our officers were allowed to go on shore 
and promenade through the streets of Newport. 

To-night our steamboat was moved over to Cincinnati, and 
orders again given to the guard to let none of the soldiers on 
shore. More growling. So ended Christmas Day on the 
Ohio river. 

Saturday, December 2^, 1846. — This morning we left Cincin- 
nati with cheers from the crowd on shore. We passed to-day 
a number of sniall towns, such as Covington, Claysville, Ky.; 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 25 

and Lawrenceburg, Madison, Jeffersonville, Ind. Whenever 
our boat arrived at any town the Httle cannon would be fired 
off, which caused the people to rush to the river line, and 
when they saw that the boat was loaded down with Uncle 
Sam's soldiers, would give cheers. 

In the afternoon we arrived at Louisville, Ky., and owing 
to the break in the dam the boat could not run over it or 
through the slot with its living fi-eighton board. On account 
of the river being too low both companies were obliged to 
land and march through some of the principal streets of 
Louisville, After which we came to a halt in the main 
square and there dismissed for one-half hour. This pleased 
the boys, and you should seen them rush towards the taverns 
and cake shops, the men" were mostly hungry, being tired of 
eating government rations. 

I noticed the people here are not so sociable, liberal and 
open-hearted as those we met in other towns, they have not 
much to say, and give nothing until it is first paid for. 

After the expiration of our time we again formed into line 
and marched (without receiving a cheer from the citizens) for 
about three miles around to another boat-landing place where 
we got on board of the old " Messenger " and left for New 
Orleans. Two of the members of Co. C were left behind, their 
names are John Perfect and Morris Stemler. This evening we 
passed a thriving little town called New Albany, Ind., we 
stopped few minutes, and when we left the citizens gave us three 
hearty cheers, which was more than we received in that fancy 
and aristocratic town called Louisville, Ky. The weather is 
getting considerably warmer, and as the saying is, the further 
down South we go the warmer the climate will be, and I find 
it so. 

SiDiday, December 27, 1846. — This morning we had a hard 
chase with the steamboat called the "Allegheny," who caught 
up to us during the night and was trying hard to pass the 
" Messenger." Some of our men who were interested in the 
race volunteered and assisted the fireman in keeping up steam, 



20 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

and I have seen no less than three barrels of fat salt pork 
thrown into the fire-place, which naturally burnt like so much 
brimstone and which made plenty of steam. This was the 
first steamboat race that I have ever seen on these rivers, and 
I must say it was magnificently contested. The race kept up 
until our boat had run out of coal and wood which gave 
the "Allegheny" a chance to pass us, which caused a cheer 
from the crew of the "Allegheny." 

In the afternoon our steamboat was compelled to halt at a 
plantation to repair some of the machinery which became out 
of order during the race with the " Allegheny." Here we had 
some gay old sport with the darkies or slaves, cutting up all 
kind of monkey-shines, dancing, singing songs, &c. Some I 
noticed were fishing, while others were trying to make love 
to some of the yellow gnls, in fact, I noticed some were as 
white as we are, even whiter. During all the time we laid 
here there was an overseer of the slaves to watch and see 
what was going on, and I heard him tell several of our men 
that he didn't care what we done with the slaves, so long as 
we don't entice them away ; which orders were obeyed. 

Louis Bymaster and myself took a walk through some of 
the orange groves which are truly magnificent, the tall palm 
leaves waved gracefully, and the air is sweetened with its per- 
fume ; it is really the prettiest place that I have yet seen. I 
also noticed that the negroes, or slaves, are far better clad and 
more lively spirited than one-half of our free negroes in the 
North. It is true, our negroes are free, but what is freedom 
when there is no protection for the negroes in the North. Of 
course, we in the North would like to see every man in the 
whole United States free, provided they are protected. Myself 
and all that belongs to me are opposed to slavery, but since I 
have seen some of its workings, I am satisfied and free to say, 
that the slaves in the Sunny South have it far better, and more 
care taken of them and are better protected than most of our 
free negroes in the North. 

Six o'clock, P. M., the bell of the steamboat commenced to 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 27 

ring, which indicated that the machinery of the boat was 
finished ; all should get on board. After which we pushed 
off the beach ; the slaves gave us three cheers which was 
responded to from the Yankee soldiers on board, and even 
the overseer of the slaves was cheering and waving his hat 
and throwing it up in the air. In the evening we passed the 
towns of Napoleon and Vicksburg. To-night, the usual mer- 
riment in playing cards, dancing and singing, while some are 
trying to go through some theatrical performance. 

Monday, December 28, 1846. — This morning we could see 
Natchez at a distance off. There is a wonderful change in the 
climate ; it is pleasant, and as warm here as it is in May or 
June at home. The scenery along the noble Mississippi 
river is indescribable ; the prairie fields of cotton, the splen- 
did mansions of the owners, and the out-houses and cabins of 
the slaves, all combined, was rare and strange sights to us 
northern mud sills. We also saw any quantity of wild turkeys, 
geese and ducks by the square miles. Swans and cranes are 
swimming on this great Father of Waters, while the air is 
darkened with wild pigeons. In fact, I have seen more wild 
game this day than I ever have in all the days of my past life. 
We passed Port Hudson, Baton Rouge, and arrived at New 
Orleans about 10 o'clock this evening, but none are allowed 
to go on shore. 

Tuesday, December 29, 1846. — This morning Capt. Wm. 
F. Small was appointed Officer of the Day. He soon gave 
orders to the captain of the boat to run her over to the other 
side of the river to a small town named Algiers, which was 
done. This order raised considerable fuss among the soldiers 
on account of some of our men wanting to get off and go to 
New Orleans. One party headed by Wm. Ford of our com- 
pany did break the guard, and about eight or ten jumped on 
shore just before we pushed off the wharf and went to the 
city. At this instant Capt. Small posted himself with the 
guard and warned all the soldiers to obey his orders like men 
and not act like a band of pardoned or escaped felons, and 



2S NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

that the first man who attempted to break the guard again 
will be followed and captured and will be severely punished. 

These remarks had the effect of cooling these rowdies 
down, but not without cursing and swearing, and many threats 
against Capt. Small, but they cannot frighten nor scare Capt. 
Small, he is Small by name and small by nature, and he is 
just as spunky and plucky as he is small, so the boys behaved 
themselves during the day. 

Algiers, above mentioned, will be remembered, as famous 
for the destruction of life and property by the two largest 
elephants in this country, Hannibal and Columbus, then at- 
tached to Messrs. Raymond & Co.'s Menageries and Circus 
Company. 

If my memory is correct, it was seven years ago to-day 
that Raymond's Show was then quartered in this immediate 
neighborhood making great preparation for a grand procession 
into the city of New Orleans about New Year's day. When 
everything was accomplished that was necessary to make a 
grand display, a little before the time of forming the proces- 
sion, Hannibal got stubborn and wanted to fight Columbus, 
the keeper, Mr. William Crum, had him finally quieted down 
for awhile, but soon afterwards Columbus got his back up and 
he showed a disposition of wanting to fight, or do mischief 
and before the keeper, Mr. Crum, could do anything with him 
he struck Mr. Crum's horse to the ground and run his long 
tusks through the horse's body, his keeper, of course, fell 
with the horse, and Columbus instantly snatched him, Crum, 
up with his trunk and dashed him to the ground with such a 
fearful crash that it broke nearly every bone in his body, from 
which he soon died. Columbus then went for two mules at- 
tached to a wagon driven by a negro. He upset the wagon 
first, and then killed both mules. The driver ran and made 
good his escape while the elephant was killing the mules, after 
which he went for a negro who was sitting on the fence, and 
looking on to see the fun, and before the negro could get off the 
fence he raised him up on his trunk and dashed him against 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 29 

the fence with a tremendous shock that instantly killed him. 
During- all this fearful rage the elephant had three or four bul- 
lets shot into him, one went into his right eye which had the 
effect of bringing him too, and he was finally captured and 
fastened to a tree. 

Messrs. Raymond & Co. had to pay the owner of the negro 
(slave) one thousand eight hundred dollars, beside one thou- 
sand dollars for other damages done at the carnage. Think 
of it, one thousand eight hundred dollars for a negro, when 
thousands of poor whites and blacks in the North are not 
worth eighteen cents. No wonder our Southern friends don't 
want their negroes to run away from them to the North, for 
in the North they are really worth nothing. 

This evening I hear a rumor that we will go down below 
New Orleans to-morrow morning to encamp and drill ; so we 
will all be on shore again. 

Wednesday, December 30, 1846. — This morning after break- 
fast the United States Quartermaster came on board the 
" Messenger " and gave orders to Capt. James Nagle of 
Co. B, who was Officer of the Day, to get under way 
and proceed to the old battle-ground known as the place 
where Andrew Jackson gained the glorious victory over the 
British Army commanded by Edward Packingham. At 11 
o'clock, A. M., we arrived at the battle-ground, our place for en- 
campment. All the soldiers were anxious to jump on shore 
with their knapsacks strapped on their backs and muskets upon 
their shoulders. We marched about four hundred yards from 
the river bank ; here we were ordered to unsiing knapsacks and 
select suitable ground on which to pitch our tents. Others 
could be seen gathering wood and building fire-places, while 
some of the rest were carrying water from the noble Missis- 
sippi, which is as muddy as our Juniata River after a hard 
day's rain. At noon other companies commenced to arrive 
in camp, and towards evening the battle-ground was full of 
tents and lively with soldiers. Different messes were formed, 
six in a mess. We soon had something cooked and eat it in 



30 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

a homely way in our tent. To-night is the first night that I 
ever slept under a tent, and I was going to say I wish it was 
the last night, but this I can't see, it may be far distant yet. 

Some of our soldiers slipped the guard to-night and went to 
New Orleans, this will have the effect of doubling the guard 
hereafter to keep order. 

Thursday, Decenihcr 31, 1846. — This morning after a very 
uncomfortable night's rest, one of our mess called me up who 
had already a good pot of coffee boiled and some meat fried. 

After breakfast we were formed into line, and orders from 
Col. Francis M. Wynkoop's quarters read to us not to 
leave any soldiers go to the city of New Orleans without a 
written pass from our respective captains, and countersigned 
by our Adjutant Brown. The guards also had strict orders 
not to let anyone of the soldiers pass, if they did they would 
be bucked and gagged and put into the guard-house and bound 
down with iron chains during the time of our encampment at 
this place. 

This afternoon some soldiers were detailed to get wood 
and some to get water, while others dug sinks, and some were 
completing and fixing up their quarters, and some got very 
drunk, and this makes Colonel F. M. Wynkoop issue such 
strict orders, and particularly on the men that act with un- 
soldierlike conduct. Serves them right, why not behave them- 
selves like your humble servant. Nothing new but pork and 
beans for dinner, and beans and pork for supper (good-bye, 
1846). 

Friday, January i, 1847. — This is the first morning in the 
New Year, and what can I wish myself at the commencement 
of this year? nothing but health and strength. This is all I 
can ask for the present; this morning reveille beat before 
breakfast, and companies' roll calls and all absentees noted. 

At noon some of Capt. Hill's company (D) broke the 
guard and went to New Orleans City, where they cut up 
high, breaking and smashing everything that came before 
them. Some soon were arrested by the city police and put 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 31 

into the "calaboose," and Col. Wynkoop is going to leave 
them locked up for a few days for their unsoldierlike conduct. 

At 4 o'clock, p. M., we had a parade and drill for the first 
time, our Colonel was dressed in his full uniform with cocked 
hat and big feather thereon. 

At 8 o'clock, p. M., tattoo, when all the lights must be 
put out in camp, and no noise after 9 o'clock at night ; we 
are now eating our homely supper all in good spirits, that is 
of the kind, and there is a good deal of drunkenness amongst 
some of our soldiers, but at the same time there is no fighting 
amongst them. 

Saturday , January 2, 1847. — This morning, after breakfast, 
orders were read for each captain of their respective com- 
panies, to give each company ten passes to go to New 
Orleans. Louis Bymaster and myself got passes and soon 
afterwards started for the city. We walked it all the way, 
which is about five miles from our camp-ground; we, of 
course, first struck for the St. Charles Hotel, here we met 
some of our own company and some belonging to the Louisiana 
regiment ; after we had several drinks and good lunch, we 
left the hotel and walked around the city, and we find it to be 
a beautiful and well planned city. 

It is the largest, greatest commercial metropolis city in the 
South, and from the appearance of the rush along the levees, 
there is more business done Iicre in one day than there is in 
Baltimore in one month, and nearly as much as there is in 
New York. Their regulation and rules about the wharves or 
levees are the best in the world. 

Along its levees you can see moored to the shore hundreds 
of steamboats, at one section of the city arriving and depart- 
ing for Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, St. Louis, besides hundreds of 
flat boats and barges. Also hundreds of sea-going ships at 
another section of the city, arriving and sailing for London, 
Liverpool, and German ports ; besides, steamships to Havana, 
Galveston, Panama, St. Domingo, New York, Boston, bring- 
ing the merchandise of the whole world to the warehouses of 
the merchants of New Orleans. 



32 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The steamboats and sailing crafts are all separate from one 
another, which gives them better chances to unload and re- 
load without any confusion. 

There are not many white people working on the levees, 
they are mostly all slaves ; yet they don't seem to work 
harder than our poor whites in the North. 

The poor old darkies, or those who have miserly owners, 
are a fair specimen of our old poor in the North. Their 
clothing is mostly tattered and torn, and is so patched that 
the original cloth is lost in the variety of colors used in keep- 
ing their garments together. Their jaws are fringed with an 
iron gray fuzz, and all over their black faces years have traced 
hard lines of struggle; hats on their heads are mostly with- 
out a crown and one-half of the brim, in the corner of their 
mouth rest the clay pipes ; yet they seemed to be the 
happiest people I ever met with. They are good singers 
and dancers, and at dinner hour they gather around a 
ring, talk, tell stories, laugh, and sing until the bell rings, 
when everyone jumps upon his feet and goes direct to his 
place of work. 

New Orleans is the great slave market of the South, where 
men, women and children are bought and sold to the highest 
bidder. Thousands of black men and women are smuggled 
into this city from Cuba and Africa, and sold by an auctioneer 
the same as they sell horses and cows in the North. After 
we had seen all we desired to see, we left New Orleans at 4 
o'clock p. M. for our camp-ground, at which Paradise we 
arrived about 6 o'clock p. m., all safe except a little tired, 
but of course we were able to eat a hearty supper, after which 
we soon retired under our tent. 

Sunday, January 3, 1847. — This morning after breakfast 
we were called out and formed into line, after which our 
muskets were inspected, and for the first time I was de- 
tailed to go on guard. I had a good post, it being the Quarter- 
master's department. T had no occasion to go to our quarters 
to get something to eat, diere was plenty of good things 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 33 

there, but strange the private soldiers don't get any of 
these things (all for officers). 

To-day there are not many soldiers allowed to go to the 
city, for the reason that Col. VVynkoop received a note 
from the city authorities of the bad conduct of some of our 
men, but it turned out to be the Louisiana Volunteers. At 
noon the sun was unusually warm, and I thought to myself if 
this is winter in New Orleans I have no desire of spending 
the Fourth of July here. 

This afternoon the steamship " Alabama " came in from 
Brazos, Santiago, bringing a large mail and about two hundred 
and fifty sick, wounded and discharged soldiers from Mata- 
moras Hospital, but no news from Gen. Z. Taylor's army 
in Mexico. 

To-night I heard a shot fired off, no doubt some ruffian 
soldier attempted to pass the guard to go and rob the citizens. 

Monday^ J anil my 4, 1847. — This morning after I was re- 
lieved from guard I was free from all duty, such as drilling, 
parading and camp duty. 

To-day several of our men got permission from our Captain 
to go to New Orleans, but with strict orders not to get drunk 
nor be found in disorderly conduct towards the citizens. 
Some of the other companies' men went to the city without 
permission from their Captains, and when they returned to 
camp in the evening they were all put into the guard-house by 
orders from Col. Wynkoop. 

This evening some of Co. D's men had what I call a little 
fight with a Spaniard, who keeps a grocery and liquor store 
on the levee, and came near killing him. They would no 
doubt have killed him had it not been for some of the officers 
who were just passing the place at the time of the fight. The 
officers brought the men to camp, but said nothing to Col. 
Wynkoop about the affair. Had it been any other com- 
pany's men they would have been put in the guard-house, but 
being the " Killers " nothing was said or done. 

To-night as usual tattoo, put ouc the lights. 
3 



34 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Tuesday^ January 5, 1847. — This morning there seems to be 
a great deal of dissatisfaction among the soldiers of our regi- 
ment on account of the conduct of our officers toward the 
men. Nearly all our officers generally go to New Orleans, 
stop at the St. Charles Hotel, and there drink and eat and be 
merry, thus neglecting to do their duty toward the soldiers 
who are lying here without half enough to eat. At noon, in 
spite of the strictest orders from our officers to the guards, 
most of the soldiers passed between the guards and went to 
New Orleans to get something to eat. So this afternoon 
when the dress parade came off, Col. Wynkoop noticed that 
there was one-half of the regiment absent. After dress 
parade he immediately ordered five men from each company 
as guards to go to New Orleans and bring back all soldiers 
that could be found in the city. 

At about 6 o'clock, p. m., the guards returned from the city 
having but nine men belonging to our regiment in charge. 
Df course, they were instantly put into the guard-house for 
safe keeping for a day or so. This evening, as usual, tattoo, 
put our lights out and make no noise, so that our faithful 
officers, who have just returned from the city, can sleep. 

• Wednesday, January 6, 1847. — This morning, as usual, the 
soldiers are cursing the officers and Quartermaster for not 
furnishing us with something to eat. It is, in fact, a perfect 
shame how the soldiers are treated in regard to provisions, and 
if it was not for the little money that the soldiers mostly have, 
God only knows how we would stand it. This afternoon a 
guard of fifty men were detailed from our regiment (I was one 
of the detail), and were sent to the city under command of 
Capt. Hill. We proceeded to New Orleans, and the first 
place we entered was a ball room, where there was a masquer- 
ade ball going on. At first Capt. Hill was stopped at the 
door, but with force we proceeded on our way in the ball room, 
and immediately arrested all the soldiers that were in the 
room. There were any quantity of city police in the ball 
room, and they insisted in favor of the soldiers staying in the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 35 

room, and were going to arrest Capt. Hill, but instead of the 
police arresting Capt. Hill, Capt. Hill ordered us to arrest 
every police ofificer that interfered, which we did, and marched 
them with the arrested soldiers to our camp, but on our 
arrival at camp. Col. Wynkoop released the police. 

Thursday, January 7, 1847. — This morning there was 
nothing of much importance occurred, but talking and asking 
many questions about the arresting of policemen by the 
soldiers yesterday in New Orleans. 

At noon the steamboat " Fashion," Capt. Morgan, came in 
from Brazos, Santiago, bringing the dead bodies of Lieut.- 
Col. William Watson, Capt. R. A. Gillespie, of the First 
Texan, Lieut. Randolph Ridgly, of the Third Light Artillery, 
and several other officers, besides a good many sick, wounded 
and discharged soldiers. 

Lieut. R. Ridgly was with Maj. Samuel Ringgold at the 
battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma on the 8th and 
9th of May, 1846; after Maj. Ringgold received his death 
wound, he took command of the battery and covered himself 
and his light artillery with glory. He retained the command 
of his battery until the time of his death, and for his bravery 
and skill, was promoted Brevet-Captain, and was Assistant 
Adjutant-General in Gen. Zachariah Taylor's army. I^e 
died October 27, 1846, from injuries received from the falling 
of his horse ; the horse having fallen heavily on the whole 
body of Capt. Ridgly. He graduated at West Point in 1837, 
and was a brave, daring and skilful officer, a gay chevalier, 
a good jolly fellow and full of life, a great favorite in his regi- 
ment ; he was looked upon and known as one of the best 
horsemen in the United States Army. 

Col. Watson and Capt. Gillespie were both killed at the 
storming at Monterey on the 22d of September, 1846. The 
former in front of Fort Teneria and the latter at Fort 
Soldjela. One of the committee, a Baltimorean, who was sent 
to bring home the dead bodies of Watson and Ridgly, both 
being Marylanders, was hearty and in good spirits last evening 



36 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

when he went to bed and was found dead this morning in his 
berth, an inquest was held, and the verdict was, death from heart 
disease. 

This evening Capt. Small informed the company that we 
would have fresh beef to-morrow, and that we would more 
regularly draw our rations hereafter, which caused a hearty 
laugh and clapping of hands. So on the strength of this 
beef and regular ration news we eat our homely supper all in 
good spirits. 

Friday, January 8, 1847. — This day is the thirty-second 
anniversary of the famous battle of New Orleans ; the battle 
took place about five miles below New Orleans. Yes, upon 
the very field of our encampment. Gen. Edward Packenham 
with over fifteen thousand well-drilled soldiers attacked Gen. 
Andrew Jackson's seven thousand raw militia with the full 
expectation of defeating Gen. Jackson's green militia, and 
driving them out of the field. Here on this camp-ground a 
most desperate struggle for liberty ensued, the conflict and its 
history is before the world, and it is not worth while for me to 
comment much on it, for we all know that it was one of the 
most brilliant victories of the whole war of 18 12 and 18 15. 
In fact the enemy were so badly defeated at this battle that 
tjiey never up to this day ever attempted to attack us or even 
show any sign of an attack. Gens. Packenham and Gibbs 
were both killed. The very tree under which Gens. Packen- 
ham and Gibbs were temporarily buried still stands and shows 
marks of seeing services, too ; over two thousand of the 
flower of the army of Great Britain were killed upon this 
camp-ground. All over these fields were strewed the 
dead soldiers of the British army, while the American army's 
loss was but seven killed and six wounded. 

On the same night of the British defeat Gen. Lambert, 
the only general left of the British army, embarked with the 
remaining forces and left for England, and sent word to Gen. 
Jackson that he, Gen. Lambert, would bother him no more. 
This glorious victory causes great joy throughout the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 37 

whole United States on every 8th of January. At lo o'clock, 
A. M., myself and several of our company got permission from 
Capt. Small to go to the city of New Orleans and see the 
sights on the 8th of January. After we arrived in the city 
and walked around a little, we came to the St. Charles Hotel 
and of course took a drink and lunch which is as good (as 
John Newman says, and he ought to know for he boarded,) as 
many a dinner set out in Philadelphia boarding houses ; all 
for ten cents, drink included. 

The military paraded, and I must confess turned out strong 
and marched and looked well, they were accompanied by 
several bands of music and a large number of citizens. The 
procession passed the St. Charles Hotel, marching through 
several principal streets, flags were flying and banners waving 
over almost every house-top, the cannons sent forth their 
deafening peals of thunder which made the very earth shake 
beneath our feet. 

On most every public, as well as private dwelling, the flags 
of our country and the portraits of Gen. Andrew Jackson were 
hung out or stretched across the street. The procession 
finally came to a halt in one of the public squares, where the citi- 
zens listened to an oration delivered to them by an old patriotic 
gentleman who spoke for one hour with great force and 
eloquence. 

In the afternoon we went to the circus performance under a 
large tent and stayed there until the show was over, after 
which we started for camp, at which place we arrived about 
8 o'clock, p. M., well pleased with the 8th of January, 1847. 

Satw'day^ Jamiary 9, 1847. — This morning strict orders 
were given to our sergeants and corporals to drill every man 
thoroughly in the way of loading and firing ; also company 
drills twice a day which will be good exercise for the men. 

At noon Co. D, or " Killers " as they call themselves, went 
out skylarking as they call it, they came to a Frenchman who 
had g whole lot of poultry, they broke into the poultry-yard 
and garried off about a dozen chickens, besides geese, turkeys 



88 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

and a small deer. The Frenchman pleaded for his fowl and 
particularly his pet deer, but it was no use, they brought the 
plunder to camp and it wasn't long afterwards before they had 
their stolen game killed and on the fire cooking. 

In the evening the Frenchman came to camp and asked for 
his pet deer, and when he was told it was killed and some of it 
on the fire, he shed tears and went to Capt. Hill and he told 
the Captain that he would go to the city to-morrow and get 
out a warrant for the whole of Co. D, for stealing and killing 
his poultry. 

Sunday, January lo, 1847. — This morning there is a great 
change in the weather ; instead of a scorching sun, it sprung 
up with a northern wind, and commenced to snow and rain 
all the morning, forming a pond of water and ice around our 
encampment, and running into our tents, the ground being so 
low that nearly all our quarters were overflowed with water. 
So we private soldiers were now in a bad fix. Some I noticed 
were taking their blankets and knapsacks to hunt more com- 
fortable quarters ; they mostly all hunted up the slave's huts, 
and slept there among the slaves, and were cursing the day 
that they went soldiering. Our mess succeeded after we 
arrived here to get some boards, and made a floor about six 
inches from the ground, so we were all right as far as the wet 
ground was concerned, but our roof, I must say, leaked at 
several places. 

The Frenchman's warrant for the arrest of the whole of 
Co. D has not yet arrived, and I have been informed that the 
officers and our Quartermaster will pay the Frenchman a 
reasonable price for his lost fowl and pet deer ; and gave him 
(the Frenchman) notice that in case any soldiers came 
around his place again to defend his flock, even though he 
would have to shoot several men for it. 

Midnight. It is still raining and snowing, it is awful cold, 
can't sleep at all. Oh ! we wish it was in the moriiing so we 
could get around our camp-fire, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 39 

To-day it was given out that the First and Second Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers will be attached to Gen. Scott's army. 
[Cheers.] 

Monday, January ii, 1847. — Last night was one of the 
most unpleasant and disagreeable nights that I ever ex- 
perienced in all the days of my life, and, like the rest of my 
comrades, I shall never forget it, the longest day of my life, 
being half frozen to death. Our blankets and clothing on 
our backs were all frozen stiff and hard. Every fire-place was 
thronged W'ith soldiers standing around to dry their blankets 
and clothing, and talking sorrowfully about the bad treatment 
and hardships of soldier-life in time of war. 

In the afternoon two deers were seen running past, close 
by our camp, a party of our men soon followed them with 
guns, axes, knives and clubs, and succeeded in capturing one 
of them, the other one swam the river. Mr. Alburtus Welsh 
of our company (C), who (by-the-by) is a butcher, dressed the 
deer and gave me for our mess a piece of the deer-meat for 
supper, which actually was the first fresh meat we have 
had since we have been in Camp Jackson. 

This evening it is not so cold. It is clearing off and getting 
more pleasant again, which has the effect of bringing and 
cheering up our men in good humor again. Some are trying 
to sing songs. Some of them of the most contemptuous 
character I ever heard. Some sang "Alice Gray," and "Oft in 
the Stilly Night," with much merriment and loud laughter. It 
lasted until tattoo beat, when all lights must be put out. 

Tuesday, January 12, 1847. — This morning a party of some 
thirty men belonging to Capt. E. L. Danna's company (I), of 
Wilkesbarre, Pa., forced the outer guard and went to a tavern 
kept by a Spaniard. After eating and drinking everything 
they wanted they (which is always the case) commenced to 
break up the household goods and bottles. The Spaniard in 
defending his property and his own life, took up his gun, 
which was lying under his counter, and emptied its contents 
into the face of one who styled himself a bully, disfiguring his 



40 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

face horribly. The news of this outrage was brought to 
camp by a darkey, who saw the whole affair/and reported the 
facts. Capt. Scott, of Co. H, First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, was sent in pursuit of the rioters, and succeeded 
in arresting the whole party, and they of course were all put 
in the guard-house, there to be kept until the injury of 
the Spaniard is fully ascertained, and the cause of the riot 
known, which will be investigated by Col. Wynkoop and 
Capt. Danna. All quiet to-night. 

Wednesday, January 13, 1847. — This morning Lieut. -Col. 
Samuel W. Black, of our regiment, went to New Orleans to 
release some of our men who were locked up in the " cala- 
boose " for several days. 

At noon several companies belonging to the Second 
Mississippi Regiment arrived and" encamped about five 
hundred yards above us, nearer the river. This regiment 
comes under the same call and requisition as ours, and I am 
sorry to say that they are the hardest and most delicate 
Idoking set of men, for new arrivals, that I ever saw. 

This evening Lieut. -Col. Black returned to camp, bringing 
with him nearly all the straggling soldiers belonging to our 
regiment. Some looked pretty hard, and were glad that they 
were released again. 

Thursday ^ January 14, 1847. — This is a delightful morning. 
The weather being beautiful and warm, which makes every- 
thing look pleasant. 

At noon Col. Wynkoop sent orders to the Chief of Police 
of New Orleans, to arrest every soldier found in uniform (our 
regiment now being uniformed) that was in the city, and re- 
turn them to our camp. 

In the afternoon three companies of the Second Regiment 
of Pennsylvania came to oqr camp and pitched their tents 
close by ours. Louis Bymaster, Daniel Cruthers and myself, 
besides many others, went over to see them, and to see 
whether we knew any of them, but found none, as they 
hailed from the northwestern part of our State. 




MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELI) SCOTT, 
Commander-in-Chief U. S. Army. 



42 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

It is now rumored all over camp, and it seems to come from 
good authority, that most of the troops will soon embark 
for Vera Cruz, Mexico. This had the effect of three or four 
of our company deserting. I will record their names for 
future reference, they are as follows : William Barnes, William 
Ford, William Rolett and John Gill, all four from Phila- 
delphia, Pa. 

This evening the man belonging to Co. I, who was shot in 
the face by a Spaniard, whom he tried to rob and kill, died in 
the hospital of his wounds. That's what he got for trying to 
rob and kill his fellow-m.an. Later the United States Quarter- 
master came to the camp from New Orleans, and stated to 
Col. Wynkoop that the vessels would be down here to-night 
or in the morning, and that we should be ready to embark 
at a minute's notice. So all the soldiers are in high glee, 
singing and cheering, at the same time making preparations 
for the seat of war ; writing letters is the order of the 
evening. 

Friday, January 15, 1847. — This morning our regiment was 
divided into three divisions. The first and second divisions 
received orders to strike their tents and pack up and be ready 
to embark on ships. 

The first division is composed of Co's A, G and K. 
They embarked at noon on the sailing-ship "Oxnard," under 
the command of Col. Francis M. Wynkoop. The second di- 
vision soon followed. It is composed of Co's E, F, I and 
H. They embarked at 3 o'clock, p. m., on the sailing-ship 
" Russell Glover," under the command of Lieut.-Col. Samuel 
W. Black. The third division, to which our company be- 
longs, is to embark to-morrow morning. 

As soon as the soldiers got on board the lines were cast off 
and away they went with cheers for Mexico, etc. 

This evening some five or six hundred soldiers, belonging 
to the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, arrived 

in camp, others belonging to Col. Second Mississippi 

Regiment, and some belonging to the Louisiana Regiment 
arrived. All quiet to-night. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 43 

Saturday, Janiiary i6, 1847. — This morning, after breakfast, 
we received orders to strike our tents, pack up, and hold our- 
selves ready to embark, which took place at about 10 o'clock, 
A. M. Our division is composed of Co.'s C and D. We 
embarked on the bully sailing ship " Statesman," under the 
command of Major Francis L. Bowman. After we were all 
on board we gave three hearty cheers for the old battle- 
ground, and cheers for Mexico. Previously, before we left camp, 
Capt. Hill and Lieut. George Moore, both belonging to 
Co. D, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, resigned 
their commissions, and left Lieut. J. C. Kretschman or Kretsch- 
mar. to take command of the company. Lieut. Kretschmar 
is the only commissioned officer left in Co. D, Lieut. Alex- 
ander Brown being appointed Adjutant of our regiment. 
There was about a dozen of the " Killer " Co. D, deserted ; 
our company missed one more deserter, named Oliver 
Amy, of Philadelphia. All the country soldiers belonging to 
our company stood by their company and their flag. 

Just before we embarked, some of the Louisiana men told 
me that they also received orders to embark to-morrow in the 
sailing-ships " Orchelans," " Ondrika" and " Sharon," and that 
they are making preparations to leave. 

This evening we weighed anchor and slowly passed down 
the river, but did not go far on account of a heavy fog setting 
in early, so the ship dropped anchor. 

Sunday, January 17, 1847.- — This morning, at 8 o'clock, 
we again weighed anchor and left the tow-steamer, named 
" Phoenix," and passed down on the bosom of the great Mis- 
sissippi river, and on our way down we saw some of the 
largest sugar plantations and rice fields in the State of Louisi- 
ana. They were full of slaves or plantation negroes, male and 
female, old and young. They cheered us and sang their plan- 
tation songs and hymns. 

This section of country is full of that dreaded enemy, the yel- 
low-legged mosquito. This unruly bird is so terrible on 
account of its size and voracity, and it seems they prefer 
northern hide to rich, blue blood. 



44 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

About 3 o'clock, p. m., we were again obliged to come to 
anchor owing to the heavy fog. 

The sailors told us to-night that if nothing happens and the 
fog clears away, we will be at the mouth of the Mississippi 
to-morrow evening. 

Alonday, January i8, 1847. — This morning we could not 
start until 10 o'clock, owing to the fog, which is common here, 
and particularly at this season of the year. We weighed anchor 
and was towed by the steamboat " Phoenix " down to nearly the 
mouth of the Mississippi river, to a place called Blaizen, here 
the tow-boat left us. We shook out sails and passed on down 
the bay, which is wide here. We saw any quantity of wild 
game, such as ducks, geese, swans and pelicans, flying around 
the small islands. 

In the evening we anchored opposite Fort Jackson. 

Tuesday, January 15, 1847. — This morning after breakfast 
the sailors weighed anchor and we sailed down the river, and 
crossed the bar about i o'clock, p. m. The ship now com- 
menced to rock a little, increasing its rocking as we went on. 
We had just partaken of a hearty dinner of fat pork and bean 
soup. The ship now commenced to rock heavily, and is 
rolling from one side to the other like a cradle (not the cradle 
of liberty). 

The soldiers are beginning to look sickly, and no doubt feel 
very uncomfortable, and are getting sea-sick. Some could be 
seen to hunt places less motionless, or trying to keep the ship 
from rocking, but all no go. King Neptune was too stubborn, 
and finally revolutions came into their throats, making them 
look pale about the "gills." Some could be seen hunting 
positions, or their bunks, to lay down. The ship still 
keeps rocking up and down, and it seems that every time the 
ship goes up, up goes the stomachs of some of our soldiers, 
struggling and rushing to the side of the ship, and heaving 
up the fat pork and bean soup. Some made a firm determi- 
nation not to get sea-sick, and laughed at those who were 
taken first, but old Neptune was too much for us, for we all 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 45 

had to be relieved of our pork and bean soup, and so before 
night I was relieved of most everything that was within me,- 
and I am now feeling very sick on the strength of it. 

To-night everything is very quiet, the soldiers are quietly 
lying in their bunks, not saying anything to anybody, nor 
don't want anybody to say anything to them. The ship is 
still rocking. 

Wed iicsdaf, January 20, 1847. — This morning I did not rise 
until 10 o'clock on account of being sea-sick. There was no 
dress parade, owing to the men as well as the officers being all 
sea-sick. 

Our journey to-day is a monotonous one, nothing to be 
seen but the water and the blue sky above us. 

There was very little amusement occurred on account of 
the sea being so heavy. 

In the evening the wind began to blow very hard, and the 
sailors could be seen busy in lashing everything fast, and by 
their general conversation we could learn that it was expected 
that we would have a storm soon. 

To-night every soldier is lying quietly in his bunk covered 
up in his blanket, sad and sorrowful, saying that they wished 
they had never went soldiering. 

Twelve o'clock to night the wind blows very hard and the 
ship tosses to and fro. Oh ! how we all wish ourselves on 
shore again, and would then make promises that we would 
sin no more. Some of our men I notice are very much 
frightened about getting ship-wrecked. 

Thursday, January 21, 1847. — This morning the ships 
" Oxnard " and " Russell Glover," which has the other two 
divisions on board, were seen at a distance. This caused 
much joy and merriment among the soldiers. 

The wind still keeps up, which prevents the soldiers from 
coming on deck for fear of again getting sea-sick. 

This evening the wind began to die away and was getting 
calm, which caused much encouragement amongf the soldiers. 
and particularly the sick. The men are coming on deck, and 



46 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

everybody seems to be in good cheer and good nature, which 
• is the best feature in the face. 

Wit may raise admiration, judgment command respect, 
knowledge attention, beauty inflame the heart with love, but 
good nature has a more powerful effect, it adds a thousand 
attractions to the charms of beauty, and gives an air of benefi- 
cence to the most homely face. 

Friday, January 22, 1847. — This morning we find that the 
demon had been conquered, and the storm and wind ceased. 

At noon the sky became bright and clear, which had the ef- 
fect of bringing nearly all the soldiers, well and sick, on the 
deck. John Newman and I went up into the rigging of the 
ship, where we stayed for several hours, looking over the broad 
water. Now and then we could see sails afar off, no doubt 
loaded with munitions of war, or with soldiers. Below us we 
could see the sick, who were enjoying the pure air and glow- 
ing sky with relish. A light breeze waves us along slowly. 
The gulf looks magnificent, and I was surprised to see the 
color of the water, which was as blue as if colored with indigo. 
Some of our fellows could be seen catching a sort of a shell- 
fish, called Portugueres (man-of-war), which swims the Gulf 
of Mexico. This evening one of our mess caught one of 
these fishes by throwing a bucket down the side of the ship 
and scooping it into the bucket. It was really a curiosity for 
me to see this kind of fish. 

To-night is a beautiful night, all the soldiers are on deck and 
the long hours are whiled away by singing, dancing, telling 
stories and other pastimes. 

Saturday, January 23, 1847. — This morning we find the 
wind dead against us, and could not make any headway, much 
to the dissatisfaction of all the soldiers, and most of them 
again got sea-sick, and were anxious to get on dry land again. 
At dinner-time I was amused at seeing several of our men (sick) 
emptying their stomachs of the fat pork and bean soup, just 
relished, over the side of the ship. 

One of our fellows teased the sick by having a piece of fat 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 47 

pork stuck on the end of a stick, holding it up in front of the 
sick men's faces so that they could see it, which sight, of 
course, made them a great deal worse. 

This evening some of our company and Co. D found 
out the locality of the ship's stores, and were determined on 
having something else than fat pork and beans, and at night 
they succeeded in capturing five or six hams, a few tongues, 
and several bushels of potatoes. So look out for somebody 
being arrested. 

Sunday , January 24, 1847. — This morning we find the wind 
still unfavorable, and our ship making slow headway. The swells 
are very heavy, and it keeps the ship rolling over and over, 
which is very unpleasant for our sick. At noon some of our 
officers were going around and examining our pork and bean 
pots to see whether they could find out who had the hams, 
tongues and potatoes, but our fellows were too sharp, they put 
a layer of sourkrout over the top of each kettle that had a 
ham or tongue in, and this is the way our officers were blind- 
folded, and could not find out who stole the hams, tongues 
and potatoes. 

This evening the weather is getting warmer, which is en- 
couraging the sick. 

' To-night we fared well on our mysterious hams, tongues 
and potatoes. 

Monday, January 25, 1847. — This morning all of the 
soldiers, except the sick, jumped on deck, brought up by the 
cry of land ahead. The captain of the ship took his spy-glass 
and went aloft, and when he came down reported to the soldiers 
and officers that it was Brazos, Santiago. This cheered the 
soldiers, and they all appeared lively' and in good spirits 
again. 

This afternoon some of the soldiers caught a dolphin and 
several other sort of black fishes, which came alongside the 
ship in shoals. 

To-night it is splendid. For supper we had fish, ham and 
potatoes; who wouldn't be a soldier? 



48 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Tuesday, Jaiuiary 26, 1847. — This morning the soldiers 
were gathered in different groups and were talking and 
wondering how soon the long-looked-for land would be seen. 
Some even went to the captain of the ship and asked him how 
long or how many days it would be before they could get to 
land again. The captain answered them that we will have a 
storm before night, and that we will likely be driven further 
from land than what we now are. 

Sure enough this evening the sky clouded up and the sea 
ran mountain high, and the captain for fear of being driven on 
shore concluded to run out to sea again, which he did to the 
great disappointment of all the soldiers. 

To-night the sailors lashed everything fast. The sea is 
raging wild, and the sailors tell us that we will have a heavy 
sea to-night. 

Wednesday January 27, 1847. — Early this morning the 
wind ceased, and soon afterwards a heavy fog set in which 
kept the ship from getting nearer to the land. 

At 4 o'clock, p. M., the fog cleared away, which gave the 
ship an opportunity to sail on a little further, but the fog soon 
set in again and the captain was obliged to anchor, for fear of 
running into some sailing craft or get on a reef. 

To-night the storm came up again and blew a perfect 
hurricane, the sailors had to give the ship forty fathoms of 
cable to make her stand, and sometimes she would drag 
the anchor. The sea is high and rough, everything fastened, 
the hatchway shut down. It lasted until midnight, when it 
slackened off This storm had the effect of again making 
some of our men sea-sick. 

Thursday, Jamiafy 28, 1847. — This morning the fog 
cleared off, and we could plainly see the much talked of and 
looked for Brazos, Santiago, and a miserable looking place it 
is; two or three shanties and a few tents along the beach, and 
the harbor full of vessels of all descriptions anchored around 
the beach. Some loaded with troops, stores and ordnances to 
carry on the war with Mexico. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 49 

About lo o'clock, a. M.,a United States Government steam- 
boat came alongside of our ship and wanted our report to be 
handed to Gen. Winfield Scott, whose headquarters are now 
at Brazos, awaiting the arrival of all his troops to operate 
against Vera Cruz. The captain of the steamboat informed 
us that the ships " Oxnard " and " Russell Glover," contain- 
ing the balance of our regiment, had left the day before for 
the Island Lobos, and the soldiers were all well with exception 
of a few being sea-sick. The captain of the steamboat then 
asked our men whether we wanted any beef or provisions. 
This question was no sooner out of his mouth, when nearly all 
the men cried in a loud voice, " We want beef, we want beef! 
For we have had none since we left Pittsburgh, Pa." 
[Laughter.] The answer was that we shall all have beef. 
[Laughter.] 

Friday, January 29, 1847. — This morning our doctor, Dr. 
Bunting, and commissary stepped into a small boat and rowed 
toward the Brazos to see if there was any mail for our regi- 
ment, also to get some medicine for the sick soldiers. 

So, during the absence of our distinguished commissary, 
one of Company D, took the advantage of him, and rolled a 
barrel of ham away and hid it under a tent, with blankets 
thrown over it carelessly, but in a couple of hours afterward 
some of the officers discovei-ed that a barrel of ham was 
stolen, and were determined to find out who took the barrel of 
ham. They placed a guard over the fire-place to keep a 
watch and see who had the hams. But they fooled the soft, 
green guard, as well as the officers on a former occasion, by 
doing as they done before, cutting the ham in two or three 
pieces, and then put it into the camp kettles of water with a 
heavy layer of sourkrout on the top of it, and that was the 
way they cooked it unknown to either the guard or officers. 

To-night neither Dr. Bunting nor our commissary have 
arrived on our ship. I guess they are having a nice time on 
shore. 
4 



50 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Saturday, January 30, 1847. — This morning, after break- 
fast, we were mustered on deck for the first time since we were 
on board this ship, and had orders read to us from Gen. Scott. 
The orders were that we should immediately proceed on our 
way to the Island of Lobos, some sixty miles south of Tam- 
pico, there to await until further orders from his generalship. 
This looks like business. 

To-day is very calm, not a breath of air stirring. In the 
evening we still find ourselves at anchor on account of our 
doctor and commissary being at Brazos, Santiago. We are 
nearly all wishing that they would either return or stay away 
altogether, as we have plenty of ham. 

To-night in the absence of our commissary, some of the 
stolen hams were distributed among the soldiers, that are 
favorites. 

Sunday, January 31, 1847. — This morning the captain of 
our ship lowered a life-boat for the purpose of going after our 
two officers now on shore. When about half-way over they 
were met by a United States Government steamboat coming 
toward our ship with the fresh beef promised us the other day, 
saying that they thought that was what was keeping us here 
waiting for the beef 

The captain of our ship returned with the Government, 
steamboat and brought the promised beef on board of our 
ship, and it was the hardest looking beef I ever saw, it was 
nothing but skin and bones, and not as much fat on it as would 
make a penny candle. It was as black as the ace of spades. 
We said to ourselves we prefer the commissary ham. 

To-night our two officers are still absent, and keeping us 
here. 

Monday, February i, 1847. — This morning we are still at 
anchor, awaiting those two bummers of ours. At noon, to 
our great delight, the two missing officers came on board. 
They both looked as if they got different kind of rations while 
they lived on shore. We are now weighing the anchor, after 
which we set sail for the Island of Lobos. The wind being 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 51 

contrary, we did not make five miles from the Brazos. It 
was gloomy all day. In the evening there were shoals of 
fishes swimming around our ship. I tried to catch one of the 
porpoises, but failed. At dusk a small schooner came along- 
side ; or, in fact, passing our ship, when the following con- 
versation took place : " Ship ahoy ! " "Aye, aye, sir." 
"• Where do you hail from ? " " New Orleans, sir. Where 
are you from ? " " Galveston, Texas, sir." " Where are you 
bound for ? " " The Island of Lobos, sir." " Here, too." 
" What is your latitude ? " " Good." " Good luck to you, 
sir." " Same to you, sir." This is the general conversation 
the sea captains have when they meet one another out at sea. 
The soldiers paid a close attention, and listened with their 
ears and eyes open while the conversation was going on, and 
were well pleased with the ceremony. At lo o'clock 
to-night the wind changed in our favor, and we are now gliding 
along pretty fast, and the captain says that if it keeps on this 
way, and we have good luck, we will make the Island of Lobos 
to-morrow evening. We have nearly all got pretty well used 
to the sea ; our men who have been sea sick have nearly all 
recovered, and they seemed to care little whether the ship lies 
still or rolls over until her keel is above the water. 

Tuesday, February 2, 1847. — This morning our Commissary 
first discovered that another barrel of his hams was missing. 
He is swearing vengeance against the man or men that stole it, 
threatening to shoot the man or men who stole it. He will have 
a happy time to find out who got it. And, again, the hams are 
by this time nearly all eaten up. At noon orders were issued 
that every soldier would be put on an allowance of water, one 
quart to a man for a day to cook, drink, etc. This is coming 
to a pretty pinch. To-day is beautiful, the wind being in our 
favor all day, and the prospects of the end of our sea journey 
is near at hand. This evening the sky was darkened by the 
heavy clouds, and a heavy norther blew up. The poor 
sailors went aloft, took in their sails, and on deck lashed 
everything fast ; lashed the spars and foretops ; tightened 



52 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

everything fast; the sailors also tell us that the sea by to- 
morrow morning would run mountain high. To-night the 
sea is as red as fire, wild and rough looking. 

Wednesday. February 3, 1847. — This morning, sure enough, 
the storm raged with the utmost fury, but died away about 10 
o'clock, A. M. The sea is now a magnificent sight, sparkling 
like a sea of diamonds on the massive sheet of foam, playing, 
plunging and burying themselves in the deep blue bosom of 
the Gulf of Mexico. To-night the wind rose acrain, and 
almost every soldier was seen to jump into his bunk to take a 
good night's sleep on the rocking of the ship, for we are now 
getting well used to the rocking and rough sea. Good night. 

Thursday, February 4, 1847. — This morning the storm 
ceased and the sea became quite calm. At 10 o'clock, A. m., we 
were startled by the cry of a shark. All the soldiers rushed 
upon deck to witness the sight, when some thirty shots were 
fired at him, but he seemed not to mind it at all, but was soon 
captured by a sailor who had a large hook tied to the harpoon. 
He was hauled on deck and skinned by Alburtus Welsh, of 
our company. He measured six feet in length. Mr. Welsh 
wasn't long before he had the shark cut up and put on the fire 
to cook. After which Mr. Welsh gave me a piece. It was 
the first shark meat I ever eat, and I must confess it was the 
best fish meat I most ever eat. This evening we noticed sev- 
eral small fishes swimming alongside of our sliip. We low- 
ered a basket and scooped several of them up. They are 
called the pilot boy. This fish is something on the leech 
order, it having a broad, flat head. They die as soon as they 
are out of water. 

Friday, February 5, 1847. — This morning our ship's cap- 
tain discovered that we were not far from land, the wind 
being still against us, and of course making very little head- 
way. At noon we saw several swallows flying about the ship. 
This indicated that we were not far from land. This evening 
is calm, not a ripple can be seen on the ocean. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 53 

Saturday^ February 6, 1847. — This morning we find the 
current running at the rate of six miles per hour to the north. 
Our course should be to the south. We did not make five 
miles all day. This evening afi:er dusk we spoke the ship "St. 
Louis," of Philadelphia, loaded down with ammunition of war 
and surf or transport boats. The same conversation took 
place that was held with the schooner the other day, except the 
" St. Louis " was bound for Anton Lizardo, near Vera Cruz. The 
soldiers all seemed to be much pleased in meeting the ship. 

Sunday^ February 7, 1847. — This morning our water, which 
we were told of the other day, was issued to us by the mess. 
Each mess drawing a quart of water for each man to drink, 
cook and wash in. The water is miserable. The smell is 
enough to make the soldiers sick or to put us entirely against 
using it, but we will have to put up with it until we can get 
better. At noon the wind is still ahead and is likely to be so 
for several days ; yet there is no telling how the wind may 
blow in an hour from now, for it is so contrary in these 
regions, and particularly at this time of the year. In the even- 
ing several of our men caught fishes, some weighing from 
five to six pounds and are a very pretty fish. We are now 
several days out from the sight of land and our men are won- 
dering how long it will be before we will see land again. 
Nothing extraordinary happened to-day or night. 

Monday, February 8, 1847. — This morning as usual we still 
find the wind against us, but the weather is fine and pleasant. 
At noon most of the soldiers went on deck and passed their 
time in playing cards, a game the soldiers are more or less 
addicted to, and thus frequently gamble all their money in a 
few days after they are paid off. Some of our men were 
amused by Mr. Kennedy, of Company D, who favored them 
with some beautiful airs on the accordeon. He is a good player 
as well as a singer. We did not make six miles all day — poor 
way of getting along, but we will have to let old Neptune 
take his own time and way, for he is very contrary sometimes. 
To-night it looks as if none of our men want to go to sleep. 



54 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Everybody seems to be cheerful. Some are trying to dance, 
while others again are singing sentimental songs tuned with 
the accordeon and with comic voices and accents in such a 
doleful and lugubrious style as to cause the soldiers to look 
like a funeral party. It was so comic that it made every one 
laugh and be in good humor. 

Tuesday, February g, 1847. — This morning I noticed some 
of our men did not get out of their bunks until after 10 
o'clock, and their whole talk and laughing was about the 
comic proceedings of last night. 

The wind is still ahead and is blowing hard. The sailors 
seemed to be very much alarmed. They are telling our men 
that we are now on one of the worst coasts on the gulf for 
storms. 

This evening at a distance we saw a large fire on the Mexi- 
can shore, supposed to be put there by the Mexicans to get 
vessels on the breakers or beach. 

To-night, in place of our men singing comic songs, they 
formed themselves into a debating society, and their whole dis- 
cussion of subjects was on the Mexican War. The discussion 
was very interesting and exciting. Some of the soldiers were 
well posted in argument, in talent and gift of speech-making. 
Some prophesied that the war, after we landed, would only last 
one month, while others, again, argued that it would last over 
a year, and that a desperate and bloody struggle will have to 
take place before the city of Mexico is taken. 

The debating was heartily applauded, and adjourned at 1 1 
o'clock at night. 

Wednesday, February 10, 1847. — This morning the sky had 
every appearance of a storm. At noon the prophecy became 
too true, the wind whistling through the rigging and making 
great mischief In the evening the sea became very rough. 
Waves were dashing up in front of our ship as high as moun- 
tains. It blew a perfect hurricane. The tempest is raging 
high. Could not carry one foot of sail. It began to look 
gloomy, The sailors were obliged to take the main-top 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 55 

mast off to lighten her above. To-night the soldiers were 
obliged to fasten themselves in their bunks with ropes to keep 
themselves from falling out. The storm was fearful, and some 
of our men began to get alarmed, fearing the ship " Statesman " 
would go down to rise no more. I noticed our messmate, 
Simon Schafifer, was praying. Yet, for all this fearful rage, it 
was truly laughable to see how some of our men were falling 
out of their bunks, and trying to creep back into them again ; to 
see the pans and camp kettles rolling and tumbling about on 
the floor of the ship. We heard the billows swelling, the 
breakers roaring on the ocean all night. 

TJiursday, February ii, 1847. — This morning the storm is 
still raging with unabated fury. One of our main fore-sails 
was carried away by the storm, which blew it high in the air. 
At noon it commenced to rain powerfully, accompanied by 
thunder and lightning which made the sea howl. Every- 
thing is kept fastened. To-night I heard the sailors talking 
about the awful storm we had last night, and how some 
tumbled out of their bunks and struggled to get in again, 
laughing over the scene and excitement amongst our men. 

Friday, February 12, 1847. — This morning the wind is 
blowing a regular gale, and kept at it nearly all day. So 
nothing strange took place. To-night one of our sentinels, 
stationed on the forecastle, cried " Ship ahead ! ship ahead ! " 
We came within several feet of running into one another, 
which caused great excitement amongst the officers, as well as 
all the soldiers and sailors on board. Had there been a col- 
lision, the ships would have undoubtedly both went down, 
with all the living and half-dead freight on board. Some of 
our men say that it was the same ship we met the other night 
(" St. Louis "), but the captain of the ship said that it was the 
" Sharon," with Louisiana soldiers on board. It was a lucky 
escape. The wind is now dying away. It is time. 

Saturday, February 13, 1847. — This morning the general 
talk and conversation among the soldiers was about the 
narrow escape we met with last night. At noon it began to 



56 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

get very cloudy, and the ship's captain seemed to be very 
uneasy, not knowing his latitude and longitude. He could not 
find out where he was, owing to the state of the weather ; so 
not knowing his whereabouts, he again put out to sea. 
This afternoon there was a little excitement among the 
soldiers, owing to a hat and a pair of pants floating near our 
ship. It was supposed to belong to some of the ships we saw 
at a distance off. 

Sunday , February 14, 1847. — This morning the sun came 
out, and our ship's captain soon found out his latitude and 
longitude, and discovered that we were not far from Vera Cruz, 
and it wasn't long before we could with spy-glasses see the 
Castle of San Juan de Ulloa and Orazaba Mountain. The 
captain put about ship and proceeded to the Island of Lobos, 
and if the wind keeps as it is we will make the Island in the 
morning. 

Monday , February 15, 1847. — This morning about 10 o'clock 
we spoke to the bark " May Flower," of New York. Some 
say with New York soldiers, others have it the Second 
Mississippi Regiment, the latter I think is correct ; also the 
bark " Isabella " with a detachment of the New York Vol- 
unteers, under the command of Capt. Shaw, on board. We 
hailed them both, and they answered as their destination the 
Island of Lobos. 

At noon the sentinel at the forecastle spied land ahead, 
and it proved to be the long-looked-for Island of Lobos. 
To-night the soldiers are all in high glee, with the beauti- 
ful sights in view. 

Tuesday, February 16, 1847.- — This morning as we were ap- 
proaching the Island Lobos a pilot-boat came alongside of 
our ship and wanted five dollars per foot to pilot us in to 
anchorage. The captain of our ship did not like the appear- 
ance of the man for he asked too much ; we, however, beat in 
slowly and anchored about 3 o'clock, p. m., after which there 
was a detail of ten men from each company to go ashore and 
clear away the bpshes apd rubbish, so we could pitch our tents. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. r)7 

At 5 o'clock, A. M., we all landed, and it seemed that everyone 
wanted to be first to land, so anxious were we to get on 
shore again. Here we were received by the rest of our 
regiment, who arrived a few days ago. We were much 
rejoiced in seeing one another again. 

To-night, for the first time, we are sleeping on foreign soil. 
All quiet to-night. 

Wednesday, February 17, 1847. — This morning after break- 
fast, and after having our tents all fixed right, Louis Bymaster 
and myself took a walk around the island, and we find 
it a much prettier and larger place than we expected. 
We also visited the Palmetto Regiment and Louisiana Regi- 
ment drilling on dress parade, and they are the hardest look- 
ing (new) soldiers that I ever saw, and if you call these men 
cJdvalry of the Sunny South, I would like to see some of the 
poor. 

This evening one of the Louisiana Regiment died, and was 
buried with all the honors of war. 

Thursday, February 18, 1847. — This morning Capt. Small 
reported himself to Col. Wynkoop for duty, after which he 
gave orders to our company for each and every soldier to clean 
up his brasses, his belts and make a fine appearance, for the 
first time, on foreign soil. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., the drums beat. We formed into line, 
and mustered eighty muskets. After a little speech from our 
Captain, we marched to the parade-ground, and I must say 
that our company looked as well, if not better, than any 
company in the regiment. 

After going through the usual parade drill, we marched back 
to our quarters, where we met Col. Wynkoop, who compli- 
mented us very highly by saying that we drilled better, looked 
healthier and cleaner than any other company in the regiment, 
and he hoped that we may continue in our drilling, cleanliness 
and good behavior in camp, as well as on dress parades, after 
which Capt. Small thanked the Colonel for the compliment, and 
the Colonel then left with cheers. 



58 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

This evening two more of the Louisiana Volunteers died, and 
were buried with all the honors of war. The band belonging 
to the regiment played the funeral march. 

It seems to me that these Southern soldiers can't stand the 
hot climate as well as us Northern dirty dogs. Talk about 
dirt ! That's what kills these Southern soldiers. They are the 
filthiest and laziest set of men I have ever seen ; there is no life 
or ambition about them. 

Friday, Fchniary 19, 1847. — This morning there is a stiff 
breeze from the north, which has the effect to make it more 
pleasant — not so hot. 

At noon I noticed several more ships had arrived, and I 
counted no less than twenty vessels in sight. 

This afternoon the schooner " Catharine H. Bacon " arrived. 
She is loaded with wagons, mules and army ordnances. Also, 
the ship " Charlotta Reid " arrived, loaded down with Capt. 
Rockett's Howitzer Battery, and ordnance stores for Gen. 
Scott's army. They had a full brass band on board, and 
played the national airs as she sailed in ; also, played in the 
evening. 

To-night is calm and beautiful. The sea looks lovely. 

Saturday, February 20, 1 847 — This morning, after breakfast, 
Alburtus Welsh, Simon Schaffer, myself and others went in 
search, along the beach, for rare shells, which are numerous 
here. We found some beautiful ones, and we were wishing 
that we only could send some of these rare shells home to 
some of our friends. It would be a great curiosity to them, 
and particularly from this section of the country. 

From here we visited the other regiments. We find en- 
camped on this island the First and Second Regiments Penn- 
.sylvania Volunteers, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi 
and part of the New York Regiments. Some have not got 
their uniforms yet. 

This evening, after the usual dress parade and drill, nearly 
all our soldiers went into the sea to bathe. It is calm. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 5!) 

Sinniav, Fchniary 21, 1847. — This morning a steahiship hove 
in si'Tht, and in a short time she came near enough for us to learn 
that it was the flagship " Massachusetts," and by her signs we 
found our Commander-in-Chief, Major-Gen. Winfield Scott, was 
on board of her. The sloop-of-war " St. Mary," Capt. Sanders 
commander, and which has been lying here ever since we 
arrived, opened her /;//// dogs in honor of his (Scott's) arrival. 

The General did not land on account of the sea and weather 
being too rough. To-night the sea looks like fire. 

Monday February 22, 1847. — This morning the minute guns 
of the "St. Mary," as well as those on shore, fired salutes in 
honor of the 2 2d of February. The day was celebrated by 
several companies in a becoming manner. Our company had 
a splendid supper on the occasion, served up by Mr. Schultz. 
After supper was over the bottles were handed around and 
toast after toast was drank. Little patriotic speeches were 
made by several of our officers and men. So passed the 22d 
of February on the Island of Lobos. 

Tuesday, February 23, 1847. — This morning we were visited 
by the officers of the Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers. They spoke very highly and complimentary. At noon the 
man-of-war-brig "Perry" arrived from the blockading squadron 
off Vera Cruz. As soon as she dropped her anchor the " St. 
Mary" weighed her anchor and set sail for Vera Cruz. In the 
evening some of Co. D and some of our men had a little 
fight about the right of the fire-place ; but it was soon quashed 
by our officers. This was the first quarrel we have had since 
we were mustered into the United States Army. To-night 
it is rumored in our camp that Lieut. Richey and a party 
of his men were all captured and murdered by the Mexican 
guerillas, near Villa Grand. 

I learn to-night that a regular United States officer died on 
shipboard and was brought on the island. 

The wind to-night is again rising and the ships are seen to 
rock to and fro like a baby's cradle. 



60 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

IVi'dncsday, February 24, 1847. — This morning the regular 
United States officer that died on ship last evening was buried 
with all the honors of war. He was accompanied to his grave 
by nearly all the regular officers on the island, besides a full 
brass band playing the funeral march. 

The report of the capture of Second Lieut. J. A. 
Richey, of the Fifth United States Infantry, and his gallant 
little band is confirmed. They were lassoed and afterwards 
brutally massacred in cold blood near the town of Villa Grand, 
on or about the 12th or 13th of January last. Lieut. 
Richey was the bearer of dispatches to Gen. Zach. Taylor. 
Thus all the dispatches and plans of Gen. Scott's campaign 
in Mexico were captured with poor Lieut. Richey, and the 
Mexican government by this time are as fully posted as to 
his movements as Gen. Scott himself This evening there was 
an election in Company D, of our regiment, for captaincy. 
Adjt. Alexander Brown and Lieut. J. C. Kretschmar were 
the candidates. After the polls were closed and the votes 
counted it resulted in favor of Lieut. Kretschmar for captain 
almost by a unanimous vote, which caused much rejoicing and 
hand-shaking among the boys. Lieut. Kretschmar made a 
little speech thanking the members for electing him to the cap- 
taincy of the company and promising them that he would 
stand by them as long as he lived. Capt. Kretschmar is quite 
a young man ; in fact, he looks in the face like a lady — smooth 
face and good looking. To-night we can hear most all the 
soldiers talking about the capturing and murdering of Lieut. 
Richey, saying that his blood shall and will be yet avenged 
the first opportunity. 

Thursday, February 25,1847. — This morning after breakfast 
we went out on parade, and drilled for over one hour, after 
which orders were read to us for to pack up and strike our 
tents. 

At 1 1 o'clock, A. M., we again got into the surf-boats, which 
took us on board of our bully ship " Statesman," singing 
the National song, \Vc arc all Hoit)id for Mexico. 



NOTES OF THE Ml'.XlCAN WAR. (il 

This evening orders came from Gen. Scott stating that we 
should not leave until further orders from him. He expected 
long before this that his ships containing the transport surf- 
boats would have arrived. 

To-night the soldiers were all wishing that the ship having 
those surf-boats on board would arrive. 

Friday^ February 26, 1847. — This morning we were all 
ordered on deck to be inspected and mustered. Also orders 
were read stating that the red pennant flying from the main 
topmast of Gen. Scott's flag ship " Massachusetts," would be 
the signal for all ships to depart. Cheers for Mexico. 

In the afternoon I heard considerable growling, and there 
seems to be much dissatisfaction among the boys, all being 
anxious to get away from this island. All eyes are watch- 
ing for the red pennant on Gen. Scott's flag ship "Massachu- 
setts," but all in vain, 

Saturday, February 27, 1847. — This morning the Second 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers and all the rest of the 
troops on Lobos Island were ordered to strike tents and to 
embark, and be ready to sail. 

I heard to-day the reason of our delay here is on account of 
Gen. T. S. Jessup, United States Quartermaster at New 
Orleans, failing to provide transportation for the soldiers, 
ordnance stores, artillery and dragoons. According to Gen. 
Scott's plan of operation all the transports and soldiers should 
have been here long before this time. Gen. Scott seemed 
to be much embarrassed and troubled about the capturing of 
his plan of operations in Mexico, and the insufficiency of trans- 
ports to transport his army. 

This evening a number of ships loaded with troops, ammu- 
nition and ordnance .stores arrived. There must now be 
nearly one hundred vessels of all sizes anchored around this 
island, in fact it looks like a wilderness of spars and rigging. 

Later this evening three companies of the Second Regiment 
Penn.sylvania Volunteers on board the ship " General Vesay " 
were ordered to land a^rain on Lobos Island on account of 



62 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

their having the spiall-pox, and were ordered not to join their 
regiment until they were fully restored to health, this news 
caused a little grumbling among those who were not sick with 
that disease. 

Ten o'clock to-night I heard that several of our sentinels 
were asleep on their post when the guard went around to 
release them ; they were ordered to be put under guard to 
await a court-martial. 

Sunday, February 28, 1847. — This morning we were ordered 
on deck, and orders were read from Gen. Scott stating that the 
Second Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama Regiments were 
lo leave instantly for Tampico to form part of the garrison of 
that place so as to relieve some of the regulars. They weighed 
anchor and set sail, and are now nearly out of sight. 

In the evening all the carpenters and laborers on the island 
were ordered to get on ships. 

Monday, MarcJi i, 1847. — This morning the steamship 
" Eudora " arrived from New Orleans and Brazos Santiago, 
bringing important dispatches from our Government to Gen. 
Winfield Scott. By this arrival the soldiers all expected letters 
from home, but were sadly disappointed, there being no mail, 
and brought but enough money to pay off our commis- 
sioned officers, but nothing was said in regard to paying the 
privates. Oh, no ; they will have to serve a little longer. 
This evening some of our soldiers held a meeting and made 
patriotic speeches, after which they adopted strong resolutions 
requesting our Government to either send us on to the seat of 
war or send us back from ^\'hence we came, as we were getting 
tired of this tomfoolery. 

Tuesday, AlareJi 2, 1847. — This morning some of our soldiers 
traded away a barrel of Uncle Sam's fat pork and a box of 
candles for some ham and butter of a trading schooner. At 10 
o'clock, A. M., we were formed on deck and inspected by Col. 
Wynkoop, after which he addressed us in a good little speech, 
saying that the next time he will meet us would be on the 
enemy's soil, where he will cheerfully meet and lead his 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 63 

regiment into the field of action ; also warning all soldiers to 
keep their muskets and ammunition dry and in prime order ; 
also saying that from authority the enemy's force at Vera Cruz 
is from six to seven thousand strong, and he expected to meet 
with strong opposition in landing at Vera Cruz. To-night I 
noticed our Capt. Small and Lieut. Berry making a flag out 
of blue bunting. The pole is of a ship's boat oar, the spear 
out of a prong hook, the State of Pennsylvania being too poor 
to give us a flag. 

Wednesday, MarcJi 3, 1847. — This morning the appointed 
signal was seen floating from the ship " Massachusetts." Then 
there was great excitement and bustle among the different 
ships, all preparing to start. The rattling and clinking of the 
heavy cables as they weighed the anchors. While the sail- 
ors were winding up the cables the soldiers mingled with them 
in singing their favorite and merry songs, such as : " With a 
Stout Vessel and a Bully Crew, we'll carry the Ship States- 
man through the Storm, hi oh, hi, oh." " We are now Bound 
for the Shores of Mexico, and there Uncle Sam's Soldiers we 
will Land, hi oh, &c." 

Everything is as merry as a marriage bell and inspired the 
soldiers with confidence of our success in Mexico. The whole 
fleet of ships was soon under way with their flags flying from 
almost every mast head. 

Gen. Scott, on board of his flagship " Massachusetts," could 
be seen passing from one end of the ship to the other giving or- 
ders and watching the movement of every sail, and as the 
vessels were passing one another cheers after cheers were 
given. The "Russell Glover," with Col. Francis M. Wynkoop 
on board, led our regiment, followed by the "Oxnard," Lieut.- 
Col. Samuel W. Black, and then the "Statesman," Maj. Francis 
L. Bowman, bringing up the rear. The sight was grand, and 
it will be remembered as a day of jubilee and rejoicing among 
the soldiers. 

Thin'sday, March 4, 1847. — This morning the wind changed 
in our favor, which caused a smiling and a pleasing countenance 



64 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

in almost every soldier's face. The noble ship "Statesman" is 
now gliding along like a thing of life. The fleet is nearly all 
out of sight. The weather is pleasant and fair and most all 
the soldiers are on deck and in the rigging talking about the 
gala day of yesterday, and are also straining their eyes to get 
an early view of the city of Vera Cruz, the Castle of San Juan 
de Ulloa, &c. Quiet to-night. 

Friday, Marcli 5, 1847. — This morning nearly all the vessels 
that started on the 3d were out of sight which again made 
everything look lonesome and tiresome. At 1 1 o'clock, a. m., 
our ship " Statesman " ran on a coral reef The ship's captain 
and his crew tried all they could to keep the ship off, but all in 
vain, as the wind was against him. The captain then ran the 
flag up with the Union down as a signal of distress, but the 
vessels passing near by paid no attention to it, and every time 
the ship struck up came large pieces split off her keel. The 
sailors took out the chain anchors and by adding a cable 
around the windlass we succeeded in getting her off after hard 
wbrk. The captain of the ship ordered up a barrel of whiskey 
to be distributed among the soldiers who assisted in getting 
the ship off, &c. During this little accident some of the soldiers 
got frightened, and one of Co. C, named Simon Schaffer, 
was seen in the hold of the ship with his knees upon his knap- 
sack praying aloud for God's sake to save the ship and all the 
souls on board. To-night some of the soldiers looked as if 
they felt the whiskey. 

Saturday, Marcli 6, 1847. — This morning we were in full 
view of Anton Lisardo, and it was not long till we got right in 
the midst, and anchored in the midst of over two hundred 
sails ; in fact, it looks more like a wilderness of dead pine trees 
than so many spars and rigging of ships. Nearly all the 
men-of-war ships now in the employ of our Government are 
stationed here to protect the unarmed vessels, as well as the 
soldiers and ordnances on board. This afternoon several 
more ships arrived. General Scott, with Commodore Connor, 
on board the steamboat " Spitfire," were seen reconnoitering 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 65 

along the shore for the purpose of selecting a suitable place 
for the landing of troops. When they nearly approached the 
city of Vera Cruz the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa commenced 
firing several round shot and shell towards the " Spitfire." 
One shot we saw fall in front of the " Spitfire's " bow, which 
caused the " Spitfire " to return, having accomplished and 
learned nearly all they wanted to know. Castle of San Juan 
de Ulloa was named after a prominent Spaniard in Spain. 
This evening we could plainly hear music all around us, bands 
playing the national airs. 

Simday, March y, 1847. — This morning Col. F. M. Wynkoop 
came on board of our ship and stated that Gen. Scott had 
selected a spot near the Island of Sacrificios for the landing 
of our soldiers, and that we would land to-night at i o'clock, 
and that we were to take three days' rations in our haversacks 
and our canteens filled with water, and not to take anything in 
our knapsacks but one blanket, two shirts and a pair of socks. 
He also said that he had lost his horse on the voyage, and 
would be obliged to foot it with us. This evening Gen. Scott and 
Commodore Connor, on board of the " Spitfire," were cruising 
around the ships, and were cheered as they passed, the bands 
playing all the national airs. To-night some of our men had 
a ball in the hold of the ship. 

Monday, March 8, 1847. — This morning we still found our- 
selves on board of the ship. The talk of landing, which was 
to take place yesterday afternoon, did not come off. At noon 
the mate of our ship went to the ship " Russell Glover " for 
the purpose of getting orders from Col. Wynkoop. After an 
absence of one hour he returned with orders stating that every- 
thing was now ready, and that we would positively land to- 
morrow noon. Also that Lieut. Landstree of Capt. Bennett's 
Company (F), First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, died 
of brain fever, and was buried on Anton Lizardo with the 
honors of war. This is the first commissioned officer that died 
belonging to our regiment in a foreign soil. In the evening 

there was a good deal of excitement and activity going on 
5 



66 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

among the soldiers and sailors in preparing for the landing, 
which I am told will surely take place to-morrow at the Island 
of Sacrificios. This island was once famous in ancient times 
of bloody altars with sacrificed people with opened breasts, 
chopped off arms, legs, etc. ; also for numerous wrecks of 
many vessels. It was once occupied by the English as relic- 
hunters, such as earthenware, until 1568, when Gen. Almarze 
arrived from Spain and drove " Johnny Bull " from the island. 
To-night another ball on ship, having a jolly time. 



CHAPTER II. 

LANDING BELOW VERA CRUZ STORMING THE SAND HILLS SUR- 
ROUNDING THE CITY — COL. HARNEY's DRAGOON FIGHT 

BOMBARDMENT OF THE CITY ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT TO 

SURRENDER THE CITY OF VERA CRUZ MEXICAN ARMY 

MARCHING OUT AND STACKING THEIR ARMS MY FIRST VISIT 

TO THE CITY INSPECTION OF ITS FORTS OUR ARMY OF 

10,000 MEN LEFT FOR THE CAPITAL OF MEXICO AFTER 

TOILSOME MARCHING ARRIVED AT PLAN DEL RIO GEN. 

TWIGGS MEETS THE ENEMY PREPARING TO STORM THE 

HEIGHTS HE IS ORDERED TO TAKE POSSESSION OF A HILL 

GEN. .SCOTT's order NO. I I I FOR THE ATTACK ON CERRO 

GORDO. 

Tuesday, March 9, 1847.— This morning we had orders to 
pack up and prepare to land. There was great excitement 
among the soldiers and sailors on board the ships, and much 
confusion in the fleet, while making preparation for landing, in 
fact the whole scene was full of wild excitement. The passing 
of small boats to and fro, the dashing of the oars, the clangor 
of the officers' sabres and the clinking of -the cables, the sharp 
clarion voices of order by the officers, and the quick response 
by the officers and men. The soldiers mingling with the 
sailors in singing their favorite songs will ever be remembered 
by those who saw it the longest day of their lives. We were 
taken off our ship " Statesman " and put on so-called surf- 
boats, after which we were taken and put on board of the 
United States frigate " Potomac." In fact nearly the whole 
army was taken from the transport ship to the man-of-war. 
Some say it is on account of the channel being too narrow for 
all the ships to anchor, others have it it is to protect the troops 
when they land in case of an attack. 

(67) 



68 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

After we were all safely on board we weighed anchor, with 
bands of music playing the national airs, after which we 
started for the Island of Sacrificios and passed on until we ar- 
rived opposite the island, when the anchor was again let go 
to the bottom. Here are numerous vessels from all parts 
of the globe. The tops of masts and other rigging were 
filled with officers and sailors watching the movements of the 
ships, as well as the soldiers on board, all anxiously looking 
with strained eyes to see the landing and the attack upon our 
soldiers as we land. In fact, it put me in mind of seeing so 
many robins or black birds on a wild cherry tree, or crows on 
trees watching the dead carcass lying beneath. 

Gen. William J. Worth's division, which is mostly composed 
of regular soldiers, was ordered to land first, about half past 
3 o'clock, p. M. We saw from seventy to eighty surf boats 
holding from seventy to one hundred men each, with five or 
six sailors as oarsmen, coming alongside of the ships contain- 
ing Gen. Worth's division, for the purpose of embarking in 
these surf boats, after which they were drawn into line. 
Everything was now ready. The signal gun on board the 
flagship "Massachusetts" was fired. Off they started for the 
Aztec's shore, with great excitement and cheers from all the 
soldiers still on board as well as from the foreign spectators on 
the rigging of their respective vessels. It was truly a mag- 
nificent sight to see them gliding towards the shore and the 
bright muskets and bayonets flashing in the sun. As soon as 
the surf boats struck the beach the soldiers instantly jumped 
on shore, some in the water. We are now looking for the 
Mexicans to attack our men, but on they rushed in double- 
quick time until they came to a sand hill. Here they planted 
the flag of our country with three hearty cheers, responded 
to with great enthusiasm by every soldier on board of the 
ships, as well as from all the vessels in this port. During all 
this bu.stle and excitement the bands were playing the national 
airs, " Yankee Doodle," " Star Spangled Banner," and " Hail 
Columbia." They effected the landing southwest of Vera 



70 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Cruz. The whole of Worth's first division was now safely 
landed without the firing of a single gun, and without any op- 
position from the enemy. This was without expectation from 
us soldiers as well as a great disappointment to the spectators 
and foreigners who came many miles to see the attack upon 
our troops. 

Gen. Robert Patterson, who commands the second division, 
was ordered to land next. This division is called the Volun- 
teer Division, it being composed of all volunteers, and our 
regiment is in this division. Surf-boats came alongside of our 
ship and we embarked in these surf-boats loaded down with as 
brave and gallant men as there is in the United States Army. 
The sailors rowed us to shore, when the boats struck the 
beach we leaped on shore, everyone wanted to be first. Some 
had to jump in the water and hurried on, and, like Gen. 
Worth's Division, landed without any opposition. Cheered 
our flag now waving triumphantly in the land of the 
Montezumas. 

Gen. David E. Twiggs, who commands the third division, 
landed after our division, they of course all landed safely. 
Thus it will be seen that the orders and plans of Gen. Winfield 
Scott in landing the United States troops was well carried out, 
and by 9 o'clock, p.m., the whole army, numbering about 12,000 
men, were all safely landed without the least accident and 
without the loss of a single man. After the whole army were 
formed into position we were ordered to stack our muskets 
and unsling our knapsacks, after which we took our supper from 
the following bill of fare : A piece of fat pork and biscuit and 
washed it down with some of the ship " Statesman's " dirty 
water, after which we received orders to lay down on the wet 
beach close by our muskets with our feet towards the gulf 
and our heads towards the sand hills to rest and sleep, if we 
could, for we are all much fatigued. 

About midnight our whole camp was aroused by the firing 
of several volleys of musketry from the enemy who were 
stationed on top or back of the .sand hills (which are numerous 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 71 

here) right in the rear of our encampment, but doing no damage 
except to one of our men belonging to Co. I, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, who was wounded. Thus the first 
soldier wounded and first blood spilt in Gen. Scott's army was 
of Pennsylvania Volunteers. This little excitement raised the 
whole army on their feet in a minute ; expecting an attack by 
the enemy. Officers were dashing along the line urging the 
men to be quiet, for they wanted to make a charge on the 
sand hills. All was soon quieted, and all, except the guards, 
laid down again with their muskets close by their sides and 
finished our first nap on the Aztec shore. 

Capt. A. Cady and Lieut. Fitzergald, of Co. H, Sixth United 
States Infantry, were the first to land and form their company 
on the beach below Vera Cruz. 

Wednesday, March lo, 1 847. — This morning the Castle of 
San Juan de Ulloa commenced firing some of her heavy shots 
toward our encampment, but all fell short. We finished our 
breakfast on some of Mr. Mason's mouldy crackers and old fat 
pork, having no cooking utensils on shore to cook anything. 
Some made their coffee in their tin-cups, others were compelled 
to wash fat pork down with bad water. After breakfast we 
were formed into line of march to surround the city of Vera 
Cruz, and it was one of the marches the volunteers will never 
forget. All along the road-side men could be seen, who had 
dropped down with blistered feet, exhausted and thirsty for 
want of water. In fact we could hardly walk ten steps with- 
out seeing some poor soldier, whose tongue was thirsty for 
water, laying on the wayside and begging for a drop of water. 

Lieut. Casper M. Berry, of our company, was sunstruck. 
It looked as if you could almost see his brain gushing out of 
his forehead. He is not expected to live. We marched on 
until we arrived at a chaparral tangled with the thickest of 
cactus. Here we struck what we called an Indian pathway, 
filed through the chaparral, headed by Brig.-Gen. Gideon J. 
Pillow. When we were almost half way through, the Mexi- 
cans, who were lying back in ambush, fired volley after volley 



72 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

upon us. We, without orders, instantly returned the fire, and all 
was soon quiet again. In this little skirmish several of our 
men got wounded, but not dangerously. After a little rest we 
again marched on until we came to an old stone building 
which looked as if it had been in ruins for a number of years. 
Here we lay in ambush, awaiting and expecting that the Mexican 
cavalry, who had been cut off, would make an attempt to get 
into the city of Vera Cruz. After lying and waiting for sev- 
eral hours, and finding that the cavalry would not come, we 
again marched on until we came to a large sand hill, which 
was partly occupied by the Mexican Lancers and cavalry. 
This is a prominent point and a good position, it being back of 
Vera Cruz. Here we halted for a short time and could plainly 
see the manoeuvring of the Mexican Lancers, mounted on 
.spirited horses. Orders now came from Gen. Patterson 
stating that the sand hill must be taken before night. So we 
again started and went direct for the sand hill. The First 
Tennessee Regiment, Col. W. B. Campbell commanding, was 
this time in the advance during the ascent on the hill. The 
Castle of San Juan de Ulloa and all the forts around the city 
of Vera Cruz kept up a constant firing with round shot and 
thirteen-inch shell, whistling, cracking and snapping through 
the chaparrals like lightning, but so far have done no damage 
to our men. The road we had to go on was very narrow, 
being like all the by roads, a mere Indian pathway. Only two 
and in some places only one could pass at a time ; besides 
this it was very difificult to ascend the hill on account of nu- 
merous thorns. When we got near the top of the hill we 
were ordered to charge on the Mexicans, which we did with a 
yell, driving and dispersing the enemy in all confusion. We 
are now in full possession of the sand hill, and the First Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. F. M. Wynkoop com- 
manding, were the first ones to plant the flag of our Keystone 
State on the sand hill, overlooking the city of Vera Cruz. From 
here can be seen a fine view of the city, and from appearances it 
looks like a fair city, with plenty of dornes. The scenery 



NOTES OF THE MF:XICAN WAR. 73 

from here is very rough, and in place of seeing splendid country 
seats, mansions, gardens, lawns, flowers, shrubbery, trees, cul- 
tivated fields, &c., like it is in other cities, where we came 
from, it is a barren wilderness, mostly covered with wild, 
ragged, small knotty trees, gnarled and twisted, with wild 
chaparral, with thorns from one to five inches long, making it 
difficult to pass through without first cutting the way. In- 
deed, we Yankees wonder how the people live here, as we 
could not get a mouthful to eat since we landed. Nothing 
grows here but sand hills and wild chaparral. Snakes would 
even starve to death. Even drinking water is not to be found 
in this miserable section of country. 

In our march up to the sand hills we were ordered to leave 
our knapsacks at the old stone ruins ; so to-night we had to 
sleep without blankets. The sand hill was our bed tick and 
the blue sky our covering. I thought to myself where is the 
richness in this country. 

Tlinrsday, March ii, 1847. — This morning we were all anx- 
ious to see what had become of the Mexicans. We soon dis- 
covered them in large numbers on the adjoining hill near the 
city. 

We instantly went to work, digging trenches with our 
hands and bayonets. Before we had finished the work the 
Mexicans opened on us with their musketry ; but seeing that 
their shots all fell short, fell back, and then the castle of San 
Juan de Ulloa and all the forts stationed on the top of the stone 
wall surrounding the city, commenced to fire upon us. Our 
position being a very exposed one, we were ordered to fall 
back of the hill, more under cover. By this temporary retreat 
we expected the Mexicans would pick up courage and make a 
rally upon us, but they could not be bamboozled or drawn out 
in that way. We were in possession of a position to play 
havoc to a charging enemy. 

Seeing that the Mexicans would not likely charge upon us, 
we were ordered to hold ourselves ready to charge upon the 
Mexicans at any moment. 



74 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

By this time Gen. Twiggs' division was passing us on their 
way to Vergara, the other end of the city, where they are to 
camp at the National road, leading to the city of Mexico. At 
this time the Mexicans commenced to fire upon Gen. Twiggs' 
division, when the order charge was given, which was done 
with a yell and hurrah, driving the Mexicans in every direc- 
tion. Some never stopped until they got to the gates of the 
city. This was the last time we saw the Mexicans. In this 
little engagement Capt. Alburtus, of Company G, Third Artil- 
lery, was instantly killed, having his head carried off by a can- 
non ball. Lieut. -Col. Dickerson, of the Palmetto (South Car- 
olina Regiment), was wounded in the left breast by an es- 
copet ball, and a little drummer boy named Rome, belonging to 
Company B, First Artillery, had his arm shot off The boy 
cried. 

When Gen. Twiggs heard of this, he remarked that it was 
only lent and he will make up for it before long. 

Several other officers and private men were slightly wounded. 
Gen. Twiggs then marched on through the sand hills and 
chaparral to his camp-ground, Vergara, northwest of our 
camp, without any 'more trouble. 

I now learn that Gen. Scott and his staff landed last evening, 
and were highly pleased when they heard of the action the 
troops took since we landed, and complimented our officers and 
soldiers for their gallantry and good conduct. 

At noon Gen. Robert Patterson came up on the sand hill on 
crutches, addressing the men in a neat and well appropriate 
speech, saying that it makes his very heart feel good to see the 
Pennsylvania troops and other boys hold such a good 
position. At the same time bombs and round shots were flying 
and bursting over our heads and all around us, fired from 
Fort Santiago and from the city wall. The General ordered 
the men to lay down and not expose themselves. So, at 
this, one of Tennesseean boys cried out : — " Lay down your- 
self, General, or the Mexicans will presently knock you over." 
" No, sir," said the General, "my duty requires me to be where 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 75 

I am. The President of the United States can make generals 
every day, but he cannot make soldiers." [Laughter and 
cheers]. 

Early in the evening we were released, not having much of 
of anything to eat for over twenty-four hours. We marched 
back to the old ruins, or monastery, so called, and on our way 
down we saw tw^o lancers riding as fast as their horses were able 
to go, back to the city. One of the Tennesseeans who, by-the- 
by, had his own hunting rifle with him, was seen to watch for 
the lancers for some time and fired from behind some thick 
bushes and brought the noble lancer to the ground, which 
caused a great shout among the Yankees. His gray horse fled 
into the city of Vera Cruz. 

When w^e arrived at the old ruins and after we had some- 
thing to eat, we ^^•ent to work and built a small breastwork 
across one of the railroads so as to stop all communication 
with the Mexicans at Vera Cruz. After our work was finished 
we went to our old quarters and beheld our knapsacks, which 
we were ordered to leave here last evening to lighten us for 
the charge on the sand hills, were either all stolen or plun- 
dered. Mine I could not find until late at night with nothing 
in it except my government blanket. 

There were no Mexicans within three miles of this place so 
it must have been some of our own gallant fellows, who make it 
their business to linger back on the excuse of bein"- exhausted, 
worn and tired out, for the purpose of robbing their comrades 
of rare articles. 

Some lost many valuable things given to them by their 
friends and sweethearts at home. They are swearing ven- 
geance should they ever catch the thieves who plundered and 
robbed them while they were charging and driving the enemy 
helter skelter. 

Late in the evening, and for the first time since we have 
been on shore, we had good crackers, pork and coffee, of 
which we all ate a hearty meal. 



76 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

To-nii^ht strong picket guards were thrown out and posted 
on all the important points, for it is rumored that there is a 
strong force of Mexicans behind the sand hills w ho are trying 
to make their way into the city of Vera Cruz. 

Laid down to sleep with no shelter except the sky above us. 

Friday, March 12, 1847. — This morning our company was 
detailed to dig an entrenchment across a road below the 
railroad. We were kept at it all day without being relieved, 
which was anything but pleasant, working under the rays of 
the hot sun with bad water to drink. 

At noon we saw Gen. Patterson move his quarters to the 
old ruins, but the Mexicans must ha\e noticed him mo\'ing, 
for the General was not long in his new cjuarters when they 
commenced to bombard it so hard the General was obliged to 
leave it in double-quick time and hunt other quarters. 

In the ev^ening, while we were lying down under the bushes 
resting ourseh^es, a " northern," (so-called,) wind of the Gulf 
blew up fearful, and it wasn't long before we were buried in 
the floating drifts of sand, the sand being so light that during 
the least wind it drifts and makes hills, and when the wind 
changes drifts and make hills elsewhere. We had to leaxe and 
seek shelter in the chaparrals. 

SatnrdaVy jSIarcJi 13, 1 847. — This morning the Castle of 
San Juan de Ulloa and the forts of the city opened some of 
their big guns on our men, but done very little damage. We 
were only sorr)- that we could not retiu-n the compliment. 

There is not much firing from our side, owing to heavy 
northern winds, which still continues to blow, which pre\"ents 
our men from landing our cannons and munitions of war. 

This evening it is reported that Gen. Scott, with his spy- 
glass, discovered the Mexicans hoisting a cannon on one of the 
church steeples. He immediately sent orders to Com. Oliver 
H. Perry, who is now commander of the fleet in Vera Cruz 
Harbor, to fire a few round shots towards such a steeple, which 
he did, and s(X)n made them leave the steeple. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 77 

No news to-nisjiht, cxxcpt the castle and forts around the city 
are constantly firini^ bomb shells, which keeps our men from 
sleepin<^. 

Sunday, March 14, 1847. — This morning we noticed that 
the Mexicans had taken down their cannon from the steeple. 
Old Perr}''s shots were too hot for them. 

The wind still prevails, which keeps everything back ; for as 
long as this northern wind continues we can't land our horses 
and ammunition. 

To-day I have been informed that several schooners were 
blown on the beach last night, damaging their whole cargoes. 

At noon the infantry were ordered to advance nearer to the 
city. When our men commenced to move the Mexicans 
seemed to get very much excited. They opened a tremendous 
firing from all their forts on Gen. Twiggs' division, camped at 
Vergara and our camp. They no doubt, when they saw us 
move, expected our men to charge upon the city, for such 
ringing of bells and people crying, mingled with the shrill 
trumpets, made it an exciting time among the frightened Mexi- 
cans and foreign residents. 

In the afternoon our scouts captured a Mexican courier, who 
had several letters in his possession stating that the city of 
Mexico was now in a state of revolution ; also instructions from 
Gen. Santa Anna to Gov. Morales and Gen. Landero, now 
guarding the city of Vera Cruz, not to yield or give up 
to the infernal Yankees (as he calls us). That they would 
soon be reinforced with about five thousand men from 
Alverado. He also had a newspaper giving an account of 
Gen. Taylor's great victory over Gen. Santa Anna at the battle 
of Buena Vista, which took place on the 22d and 23d of 
February. This has caused great rejoicing among our men. 

In the evening several sailors went beyond our camp and 
had a fight with some of the Mexican lancers. One of our 
sailors, named Mr. Welsh, had his throat cut from ear to ear. 
This outrage caused great deal of excitement among the tars, 
and they expressed a determination to have revenge at some 
future time. 



78 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

To-night pickets are posted on all the roads leading into 
the city. Some are doubled, and defended by several pieces of 
artillery. Our men are also cautioned to be careful with their 
muskets. 

Monday, MarcJi 15, 1847. — This morning all seems quiet in 
and around camp, with the exception of the booming of 
cannons from the castle and forts. 

The wind still continues to blow, in consequence of which 
it keeps everything back. 

In the afternoon Gen. Scott and his staff of engineers passed 
our camp, visiting and inspecting the important points. When 
the old hero of Chippewa, Niagara and Lundy's Lane passed 
we all stood in line and tipped our caps, which compliment he 
returned in the same manner, after which three cheers were 
given him. To this salute he took off his hat, bowed and 
passed on to Gen. Twiggs' division camp at Vergara. 

Tuesday, March 16, 1847. — This morning we find the north- 
ern wind still prevailing, which renders it impossible to land 
our heavy ordnances and other war-like material for the de- 
struction of life and property. 

At noon it was reported that the revolution in the city of. 
Mexico has ceased, and that Gen. Anton Lobes de Santa Anna 
is now President, and Senor Gomes Farrias Vice President, 
and that the whole Mexican Government is united on the war 
question, and their cry will be " death to all traitors and in- 
vaders." 

On the top of this rumor comes in a squadron of Col. 
William S. Harney's dragoons, who have been out scouting, 
reporting to Gen. Scott that there was a large body of Mexican 
soldiers, with four or five pieces of light artillery, with some 
cattle, camped at Medallin River, about five miles from our 
quarters, trying to make their way into Vera Cruz. On the 
receipt of this report. Gen. Scott immediately dispatched his 
friend Col. Harney with one hundred and fifty picked dragoons, 
several pieces of light artillery under the command of Capt. 
Taylor and Lieut. Judd, and about five hundred and fifty of 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. • 79 

the Second Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, under the com- 
mand of Col. William T. Haskell, all under Gen. Robert 
Patterson. Off they started with cheers and waving of their 
caps, promising to bring good news. 

After they arrived at Medallin (once a town). Col. Harney 
opened fire upon the Mexicans to draw their attention, so as to 
find out their position, and at the same time gave Lieut. Judd 
a chance to plant his artillery. After this was accomplished, 
Lieut. Judd opened on the Mexicans and their small breast- 
works. At this Col. Harney made one of the most gallant 
charges on the Mexicans that has ever been heard of, it put 
Col. May's charge at Palo Alto entirely in the dark, charging 
with full speed of their horses, running their horses over the 
Mexican infantry, following and cutting the lancers down right 
and left, and killing twenty or thirty of the enemy. Col. 
Harney's loss was one Tennesseean killed, and four of the 
dragoons wounded. The victory was complete. They cap- 
tured two pieces of artillery each, six brass pieces and several 
small arms. Col. Harney thinks that the Mexican forces were 
commanded by Gen. Harrah in person, yet he was lucky 
enough to make good his escape. 

The Medallin river, above mentioned, was so named by 
Conqueror Cortez, who also built a town of the same name, in 
memory of his Cortez birth-place in Spain, but the town was 
soon destroyed by some of his Cortez men. Some of the 
ruins are still standing, and the whole place looks like a God- 
forsaken place. 

Towards evening the northern wind ceased to blow. Mr. 
Welsh and myself took a walk down the sea shore to see the 
sights. The sun was just setting in waves of gold and purple, 
the long stretch of glittering sand with misty splendor, the tide 
rolling in with a low musical murmur, here we sat down on the 
beach, and saw our sailors and laborers busy in landing artil- 
lery, ammunition, ordnance stores and provisions. Further 
down the bay we saw no less than five schooners and one brig 
lying high and dry on the shore, all driven ashore by the late 
northern gale. 



80 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Towards dusk returned to our camp ; passed Col. Haskell's 
Second Tennessee Regiment, who have just returned from the 
fight at Medallin creek. They were, all in high glee and 
seemed much rejoiced over their grand victory. Even the 
Mexicans in the city must have heard the result, as they com- 
menced firing upon us rapidly. 

It was given out this evening that the city of Vera Cruz 
was thoroughly surrounded from beach to beach and all the 
roads leading into the city are double guarded. Gen. Twiggs' 
division is encamped on the northwest side of the city. Gen. 
Worth's division southeast end and Gen. Patterson's division 
in the centre of the line. To-night different details were made 
for to-morrow to land ammunition. 

Wednesday, March 17, 1847. — This morning the whole 
beach presents a lively appearance. The different details were 
busy in getting the artillery, ammunition, provisions, horses, 
&c., on shore. 

The Alabama and Georgia regiments have just arrived from 
Tampico. They are now landing. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., our regiment was detailed to drag the 
cannon up to the sand hill to make a battery. We succeeded 
in getting up six pieces of heavy artillery two of them being 
sixty-four pounders and four twenty-four pounders ; also built 
breastwork and stationed a battery. The breastwork was 
built with bags filled with sand. We were kept busy at this 
work until dark, when we were relieved, and I must confess 
that this was the hardest day's work I have ever experienced. 
Being exhausted from exposure to the hot sun and bad water 
several of our men were sun-struck and gave out before noon. 
Beside the artillery we planted to-day there were ten mortars 
and some howitzers landed to-day, and if old Neptune will 
keep quiet for several days more we will have all our artillery 
and ammunition landed. 

Returned to our camp and after supper we laid down to 
rest and sleep, providing the Castle and other forts, the ant- 
eaters, lizards and other creeping things which are numerous 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 81 

am(Mi<j[ the chaparrals will let us alone; but I fear the wa)' the 
old Castle has been howling- and grumbling at us all day it 
will not be so kind as to let up on us to-night, she being very 
angry at us for giving them such a dreadful flogging the other 
day at Medallin river. = 

To-night a French bark ran the blockade at Vera Cruz loaded 
with artillery and ammunition for the Mexican Government. 
This raised considerable excitement among the officers who 
are stationed here to watch the blockade. The bombs are fly- 
ing all over our heads. 

Thitrsday, March i8, 1847. — This morning the dragoons 
captured a splendid horse fully equiped with saber and escopet 
on the .saddle, and at noon news came from somewhere fully 
confirming the news of General Santa Anna's defeat at the 
battle of Buoia I 'ista, which caused much rejoicing among 
the soldiers and sailors; and the saying now is, that it will 
be our turn next. 

This afternoon one of Co. B's men, of Pottsville, dropped 
down dead while standing under the door-way of the hos- 
pital ; to-night there were eight companies of our regiment 
detailed to go out scouting. We marched down the road 
for several miles, and were there let stand in all the rain ; never 
did I see it rain harder. Seeing that there was no likelihood 
of ceasing to rain, we marched back to our camp soaked 
through and through with rain. Lieut. C. M. Berry, who was 
sunstruck on our first day's march, has reported himself to our 
Captain, fit for duty; at 12 o'clock to-night, we were ordered 
to close gradually nearer the city, the trenches are nearly all 
done and our big guns will soon open on the city. Fort Con- 
ception was trying the range of their guns on Gen. Twiggs' 
division. 

Friday, March 19, 1847. — This morning the Castle and forts 
around the city are still blazing away at us, but not with much 
damage, while we are quietly preparing and planting our 
heavy artillery, mortars, and landing horses, wagons, provisions, 
and other ammunitions of war. At noon, news came to our 
6' 



82 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

camp that Lieuts. E. C. Lewis, of Co. G, C. M. Berry, of 
Co. C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, with a few 
soldiers, had fallen in with a lart^e body of Lancers, and 
after some hard fightiny; our men had to re.treat to a ranch 
where they are now penned in. Four companies of our regi- 
ment were instantly ordered t)ut, and on our way, we were 
joined by the New York regiment ; we had not marched more 
than four miles when we came upon our penned-in men and 
released them before the Mexicans discovered them, after 
which, we marched on imtil we saw the Lancers drawn up 
into line on an open common showing fight. The New York 
regiment filed to the left into the chaparral, and our regiment 
took to the right also into the chaparral, here we crawled on 
our hands and knees for about fifty yards trying to surround 
them, but they saw us and kept backing out ; here we laid and 
watched their movements until near dark, when we came out 
in the open field, at this, the Lancers put spurs to their horses 
and fled in all directions ; after which we left for our camp, 
and on our wa}' in we found Mr. Miller's body, of Co. G, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, stripped and stabbed 
in the most horrible manner ; we took it along anci arrived in 
our camp at lo o'clock in the evening, much fatigued and tired 
of marching. 

Last night John G. Craig of Co. C, First Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, was put on picket guard, and about 
2 o'clock this morning he heard something approaching 
towards him through the chaparral. The sentinel holloaed 
out : " Who comes there ? " No answer was given. Holloaed 
out again. At this time it stopped. In about ten minutes 
afterwards it again began to approach towards the sentinel. 
" Who comes there ? " No answer. Up with his musket and 
fired away. He heard it fall, and was satisfied that he hit the 
object before him. The night being very dark, he could not 
see what it was until daybreak this morning, and behold, what 
do you gentlemen think it was ? It was a jackass, which 
caused a great laughter among the men, and the by-word was: 
" Who shot the Jackass ? John G. Craig of Co. C." 



NOTES OF THE MFA'ICAN WAR. 83 

On our t^uerilla hunt to-day I was handed the following 
piece of poetry. Its title is the " Landin^^ at Vera Cruz, March 
9, 1847," by Major G. W. Patton of the Second United States 
Infantry, who was one of the first officers that landed on the 
shores of the Aztec. It's true as a die. 

LANDING AT VERA CRUZ, MARCH 9, 1847. 
The signal flag is in the sky, 
Twelve thousand hearts are beating high ; 
Ye of the foremost line draw nigh ; 
Prepare to land ; take heed ; stand by. 
HurraJi, hurrah. 

The surf boats touch the ship's tall side ; 
Along the lea they smoothly ride. 
Cling to the ropes your step to guide, 
Down, down descend with rapid stride. 
Htirrah, hurrah. 

Now watch the war words once again ; 
All eyes upon Gen. Scott's flag-ship main. 
Land, land, now reads the signal plain ; 
Cast off, give way, with stalwart strain. 
Hurrah, hurrah. 

Trim, trim the boat ; play, play the oar ; 
The waters foam, the war dogs roar ; 
The death shall burst behind, before ; 
Bend to the stroke, strain for the shore. 
Hurrah, hurrah. 

The sea walls shake with thunder riven. 
Around ye war's red bolts are driven, 
Above ye floats the bird of heaven. 
Strive, comrades, as ye never have striven. 

Hurrah, hurrah. 
The foremost surf boat nears the land ; 
It grounds. Out dash the dauntless band. 
Follow, my brave boys, with flag in hand, 
We will breast the surf — we gain the land. 

Hurrah, hurrah. 

Now raise the starry banner high ; 
Rally, close up, crowd around and stand by ; 
Our eagle rules the Aztec sky ; 

Comrades, one cheer for victory on the Mexican soil. 
Hurrah, hurrah. 



84 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Saturday, Mair/i 20, 1847. — This morning we are constantl}' 
annoyed with the brisk firing from the Castle and forts of the 
city, which we are yet too busy to return. At noon a bomb- 
shell from the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa fell within fifty feet 
of Gen. Worth's tent, but fortunately it did not explode. I 
took a walk to the beach and saw one fellow still bu.sy in 
landing cannons, mortars, while others are mounting cannons 
and mortars. Some are hauling cannon balls while others are 
hauling ordnance stores and provisions for the army and to 
different batteries. This afternoon our spies came into camp 
and reported to Gen. Scott that there is a large body of 
Lancers with cattle in our rear trying to cut their way into the 
city of Vera Cruz. Gen. Scott sent his old friend Col. Harney 
with his dragoons in pursuit of them. He sent them scamper- 
ing in all directions, a great many were unsaddled and driven 
helter-skelter in ev^ery direction, killing several and some 
wounded. Col. Harney had one man slightly wounded in the 
CQnflict. The French bark that ran the blockade several days 
ago came out and tried to escape but she was soon hailed by 
the steamer " Spitfire," but would not stop, so the United 
States gun-boat " Spitfire " fired into her, sinking her up to the 
deck ; the crew were, however, taken off and made prisoners 
and put on the flag-ship " Massachusetts " until further orders. 
I see our engineers are out and trying to select a new position 
nearer to the city to plant a battery to be styled and called 
the Volunteer and Naval battery, it is to be built and worked 
altogether by the volunteers and sailors. The place selected 
is in the rear of a thicket chaparral not far from our quarters. 
So there will be more dragging of cannons through the sand, 
and more sand bags to be filled with sand and carried to con- 
struct brea.stworks. It is rumored this evening that Gen. Scott 
has sent a flag of truce to the city to different consuls ; and 
together with Mexican women and children a printed passport 
for them to come out of the city before we commence bombard- 
ment, but they refused to take any passes and preferred to stay 
in the city and take chances. This evening our long-looked- 
for sutler opened his stores ; so of course those who hav^e 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 85 

an)' money left can i^et soniethinL;" outside of, (government 
rations to eat, but those who have none have to take what 
comes, i^'ood or not good. We are getting' our rations more 
regular and more of them, but our water is bad and it can onl)- 
be got by digging holes in the drifted sand. It can hardly be 
drank until it is boiled and coffee made of it. Our fleet is 
ordered to fire on the city to-morrow. 

Sunday, MarcJi 21, 1847. — This morning sure enough our 
United States fleet weighed anchor and ran up under cover, and 
opened a tremendous firing on the city of Vera Cruz (True 
Cross). This I understand is done for the purpose of drawing 
the enemy's fire from our men, now building breastworks 
and planting batteries. 

The guns of the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa were turned 
toward our fleet, and replied with real madness. The enemy 
firing off nearly two hundred shots in less than one hour and a 
half, and all the damage that they have done is the killing of 
one marine. This surely was a great loss to the poor man. 
He was a good soldier, and was stationed on the United States 
frigate " Potomac." 

To-day has been a hot one, both in climate and among owx 
gallant tars on board of our man-of-war. Several of our men, 
while working at battery No. 4, died from the effects of the 
lieat, and drinking too much of this bad water. 

I regret to mention that my friend, Lieut. C. M. Berry, was 
again affected from the hot sun and exposure, and reported 
unfit for any dut}'. 

In the evening it clouded up and got very dark, and looked 
as if it was going to rain hard. It being dark it made it a 
beautiful sight to see the shells from our navy flying througli 
the air into the city and Castle of San Juan de Ulloa. and 
shells and round shot are flying toward our fleet and elsewhere. 
It looked like so many rockets in the air. 

The battery of Gen. Worth's division is nearl}' finished, 
and it is reported that Gen. Worth will open on the city to- 
morrow. The Mexicans have not yet discovered Gen. Worth's 



86 NO TKS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

battery, although the\' have fired several shots in that 
direction. 

Mo)iday MarcJi 22, 1847. — This morning; it is reported that 
Gen. Worth's battery is finished, and is ready to open on the 
city at any moment. This battery i.s composed of seven ten 
inch mortars and is in command of the regular officers and 
artillerists. As stated before, the Mexicans don't know the 
whereabouts or anything about the location of this battery. It 
is built behind a thicket of chaparrals. Also another battery 
of two eight-inch Howitzers, four twenty-four pounders and 
four mortars are stationed near the cemetery, still a little 
closer to the city. 

At noon Gen. Scott sent a flag of truce into the city of Vera 
Cruz with a summons for the surrender of the city and Castle 
of San Juan de Ulloa with the understanding that if this sum- 
mons is rejected an attack on the city would immediatel)' 
follow, and no quarters or safeguards would be given or 
granted to the citizens until it surrenders. The flag of truce 
soon returned with a message from Gov. Morales, of the cit}-, 
and Gen. Landora commanding the forces of the city and 
Castle. The summons and proposition was most emphatically 
rejected ; asking for no quarters, safeguards or any favor 
from the Yankee. That they are ready to contest the fight at 
any moment. 

About 4 o'clock, p. M., Gen. Scott ordered Gen. Worth to 
open his batteries on the doomed city as fast as his mortars 
would permit. The chaparrals in front of these batteries were 
soon cut away, when, for the first time, the enemy was much 
surprised when they saw several batteries within about eight 
hundred yards from the walls of the city. The moment the 
Mexicans espied our batteries they instantly changed the 
position of their big guns, and opened a heavy fire on Gen. 
Worth's batteries, the balls striking the sand bags, and clouds 
of dust were flying in the air. 

Gen. Worth has now got the range of his guns on the enemy, 
and has commenced firing in earnest, and I tell you the way 



88 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

he is sendini; those nasty balls into the city is not slow. The 
thundering- and roaring of the heavy cannons now tells us that 
the war has fairly commenced. 

The Mexicans have now opened three batteries from the cit>- 
on Gen. Worth's breastworks. The Castle is assisting the cit)- 
forts besides, and does everything in her power to protect the 
city from being destroyed by the Yankee. Oh ! I tell you the 
bomb-shells and round shot are flying like hail-stones into the 
city of the True Cross. Think of it eighty-five bomb-shells 
were thrown into the city the first two hours, and over one 
hundred bomb-shells the next two hours. F.v^erything is 
darkened from the clouds of smoke, and the city looks like 
Pittsburgh on a rainy day, all black with gunpowder smoke. 

During the afternoon our navy opened on the Castle to draw 
the enemy's fire from our batteries. 

This evening I was informed that Capt. John R. Vinton, of 
the Third United States Artillery, was killed behind his battery. 
He was a brave, gallant and skilful officer, as well as a 
Christian soldier. He has a brother a quarterma.ster in Gen. 
Taylor's army. This will be sad news to the brother. 

Our division is still busy in building our volunteer batter)', 
and when we have it finished ready to open, the enemy will be 
still more surprised; for it is nearer to the centre of the cit)'. 

To-night we can plainly see the bombardment of the city, 
and it is one of the most magnificent and striking di.splays that 
1 have ever seen, and, as a soldier said, I shall ever remember 
the bombardment of Vera Cruz. 

At lo o'clock to-night I was informed that Capt. John R. 
Vinton was buried as he fell, with all of his clothes on, and 
with all the honors of war. He was a good and kind t)fficer 
to his men, which is something rare among the regular 
officers. 

Tuesday, Mavcli 23, 1 847. — Last night after 12 o'clock the 
Plaza de Toras bull pit was set on fire from our shells, which 
illuminated the whole city, and caused great excitement among 
the citizens. 



NOTKS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. H9 

After a short pause this mornini;the Mexicans a^ain opened 
their batteries on Gen. Worth's division and his battery, and 
of course Gen. Worth answered them bravely with his 
mortars. 

To-day we were detailed to assist the .sailors in pulling- 
cannons and mortars to battery No. 5, and I assure you it was 
a hard da}''s work, but we are all anxious to have the batter}' 
thoroughly completed, so that we may be ready to open on 
the Mexicans to-morrow. 

At noon while we were dragging up the cannons a sailor 
and one of the Tennessee Volunteers had a falling out, and it 
resulted in the sailor getting killed. He was shot dead by the 
Tennesseean ; rum was the w hole cause of this sad affair, but 
it rai.sed a great deal of ill-feeling between the tars and 
the Tennesseeans. There was also one man killed to-day by 
the bursting of one of the Mexican shells. 

To-night there were bomb-shells thrown right into our 
camp and near the volunteer battery, but fortunately no harm 
was done, and we will return the compliment tomorrow. 

]]^edncsday, March 24, 1847. — This morning Capt. Breese, 
of the United States Navy, with a party of .sailors and volun- 
teers brought with them three sixty-eight and three twenty- 
three pounders and some Paixhan shells over to our Naval and 
Volunteer battery. No. 5. The captain is a jolly-looking 
officer, and says that this is the best position of any of our 
batteries. It commands the whole city of Vera Cruz. This 
battery the Mexicans have not yet seen. It being in the rear 
of a thicket of chaparrals, and sand hills all around. 

About noon our battery No. 5 was completed and ready for 
destruction of life and property. 

Gen. Scott was notified of its completion, and he ordered 
the battery to open for the first on the cit)- of Vera Cruz. So 
after the chaparrals in front of our batter)' was cleared away, 
and, in fact, before it was all cut away, the Mexicans discovered 
us, and was astonished to see another battery still closer, as 
it is reasonable to suppose, for the)- instantly changed their 



!I0 NOTKS Ol' rill. MKXKAN WAR. 

fire tVoin (ien. Worth s batteries to us. The Mexicans cipened 
1)11 us with deleniiineil hraxery. aiul h\\\\ in (.juick succession. 
Tlie sailors, with the assistance o[ the xolunteers. now opcneil 
with a darinsj; and treniendous tire upon Fort Santiai^o. 
luer>- discharge the hatter)- niatle the earth tairl\- trembled. 
The Mexicans took better aim at our batter)- than they did at 
(i.-n. Worth's batteries. Their big ivuns did a orcat deal o\' 
tlania^e to our batter)- in bursting;" o[)en the sand bai^s, of which 
it was composed. In our batter)-, No. 5, four sailors were 
killed outright, ami also Mitlshipman Shubrick, a \-oung, bra\e 
and daring officer. He was killed while nunuuing upon the 
breastworks to see what effect his last shot had on the 
Mexican Fort Santiago. At this moment an eighteen 
pounder from Fort Santiago took his heatl o({' close to his 
shoulders, and he almost fell upon the \er)- gun that he had 
just fired off He was soon picked u]) and carried to our rear 
and laid under a tree for the present. We o\ course did not 
cease firing, but kept blazing awa)- with moie \igor and de- 
termination, and made e\-er)- ball fired tell, until a big breach 
was made in their forts, and w-e could plainl)- see some of their 
guns dismounted. This has been the hottest da)- in the art ot 
firing o\' the present war, and as the bo\-s say, " B}' goll)- it 
was clo.sel)' contesteel b)' both parties." The Mexicans, we 
must confess, did handle their pieces well, for almost e\er)- 
shot they fired took effect on our sand-bag battery. 

This evening the sailors and the officer, w ho were killeil, 
were buried close b)' our batter)-. 

T(,)-night the Mexicans ceasetl firiiig, and we were not sori)- 
for it. We all feel much fatigued and worn out from constant 
dut)- in building batteries and cair)-ing cannon balls to the 
batter)\ 

Thursday, March 25, 1847. — This nuM-ning all of oui- 
batteries were in full operation, the)- ojoened with terrible 
effect upon the cit)-, and in fact we could sometimes hear our 
shells fall in the cit)- ant! make a tremendous crash. Some of 
the fine buildings as well as the domes and steeples of churclies 



i)2 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR.. 

were on fire, and rallin<,^ to the ground. The way thing.s look- 
now the city nui.st either soon .surrender or be burnt to the 
earth. 

At noon we noticed that our battery had more effect on the 
fort.s and city from to-day'.s firing than any previous time. At 
noon one of Capt. WilHam Frederick Binder's Company (E), 
First Regiment Penn.syh^ania Volunteers, named Rupe, was 
killed by the explosion of a bomb-shell fired from the Ca.stle 
of San Juan de Ulloa. He was the fir.st soldier killed belong- 
ing to our regiment. 

This afternoon our foraging party, who had started out after 
beef, had a skirmish with a band of guerillas, and in the fight 
our men had one man killed, and the Mexicans left seven 
killed on the field and fifteen wounded. 

At 4 o'clock this afternoon the Mexicans again ceased 
firing, shortl)' afterwards a flag of truce came from the city 
asking for two hours' armistice to bury their dead bodies, and 
also a memorial from consuls of European people to allow the 
women and children in the city of Vera Cruz to come out and 
seek the shelter of more safety. 

Gen. Scott granted the first request, which is the customar\' 
rule in all wars, but the latter he could not grant ; stating that 
he could only grant passes to pass them out on the application 
of Gen. Morales, Governor of Vera Cruz, with the view to sur- 
render. After the expiration of two hours both the Mexicans 
and all our batteries opened in earnest, and most every shot or 
shell were thrown directly into the heart of the city. A big- 
breach is now made in the wall, and it is rumored this evening 
that we will storm the city at the point of our bayonets to- 
morrow at noon. So we may look out for breakers ahead. 

Our bosom we will bare on the glorious strife, 

And our oath is recorded on high ; 
To prevail in the cause that is dearer than life, 

Or crushed in its ruins to die. 

— Canipbt'll. 

To-night I w as put on picket-guard, stationed near the walls 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 93 

of the doomed city, and I could plainl)- hear the people cry 
out for to rcndircn trcgar dc cindad (surrender the city) before 
they were all killed off That these Yankees won't give up 
firing. Also could hear the bells ringing and trumpets sound- 
ing to arms, to arms. It was really laughable to hear the 
Mexicans talk, and I heard enough to convince me that the 
city cannot hold out much longer, that something must be 
done soon or else the citizens would rebel against the govern- 
ment of Vera Cruz. 

Our batteries to-night are throwing rocket after rocket into 
the cit\', which illuminated the sky as well as the whole city, 
and made it a most beautiful scene. 

About 12 o'clock to-night Lieut. Tower, of the United 
States Corps of Engineers, came to my post with a squad of 
soldiers on a reconnoisance. I was ordered to fall in the rear 
and follow them. The lieutenant seems to be well acquainted 
with the whole exterior of Vera Cruz. We kept on marching 
until we come within two hundred yards of the outside of the 
city walls. Here I was told to stay until a little before day- 
light, then I was to return to our line of defence. This I 
thought to myself is a very dangerous position for an humble^ 
soldier like me to be placed in, but such is the fortune of war. I 
have been informed by one of the sergeants that the illumina- 
tion was done to give Lieut. Tower a chance to see what 
damage our batteries have done to the walls, and also to find 
out the most suitable place to charge upon when the order for 
the assault is given. From this position I could hear the 
Mexicans talk more plainly, and it sounded to me that they 
were quarreling and fighting among themselves. I could even 
hear the dogs moan, and other strange voices. 

Lieut. Tower has finished his mission. He has returned to 
camp and left me here all alone. The firing of the rockets had 
also ceased. Oh ! this is a dreary night, dark as pitch and "^ 
standing in the midst of chaparrals and thorns with strict 
orders not to make an)' nt)ise, for fear the Mexicans might dis- 
cover me. 



94 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Fridav, March 26, 1847. — Tliis morning- 1 was released from 
guard-dut}' before daylight, so that the Mexicans could not see 
a Yankee soldier so close to their walls. 

The forts and Castle are still constantly firing on our line of 
operation with awful activity. We have partly ceased firing, 
and all the necessary arrangements to carry the city by assault 
is now completed. Gen. Worth's division is to attack the city 
from the beach on the right of our division. Gen. Patterson's 
(our) dix'ision is to attack right in the centre, where the breach 
in the wall is made. Orderlies are now being despatched to 
different quarters to see that everything is ready to make the 
assault. The Mexicans have now partly ceased firing, which 
gave me and others a chance to write letters before the assault 
is made. After I had written my letter and delivered it in the 
United States mail-bag, I noticed a flag of truce accompanied 
by several officers coming out of the city toward Gen. Scott's 
headquarters. Our batteries immediately ceased firing until 
further notice from the commanding officer. Soon afterwards I 
learned their errand (fortunately for themselves as well as our- 
selves) was to make a final arrangement to surrender the city of 
Vera Cruz, but not the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa. This pro- 
position Gen. Scott most emphatically rejected, saying that he 
must have both or nothing. So, after consulting over it a little 
while, Gov. Morales and Gen. Landora yielded to all of Gen. 
Scott's demands and returned to the city to make the final 
arrangements for surrender. 

Everything is now quiet. All the soldiers and sailors are in 
a high glee ; and all of the officers, soldiers and sailors are 
making preparations for the surrender of the Mexican Arm\\ 

To-night a heavy northern wind sprang up, and blew a per- 
fect hurricane, blowing a number of small vessels on shore. 
To-night, for the first time since we are on shore, we can sleep 
without being annoyed by the roaring of cannon balls, &c. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 95 

LETTER TO MY PARENTS. 

Camp near Vera Cruz, \ 
March 26, 1847. j 

Dear Parents: — This morning, after I was reheved from 
picket guard, I thought that I would write }'ou a letter and let 
you all know of my whereabouts and tlestination. I have no 
doubt }n)u have been apprized long before this first letter 
reaches n'ou of my occu]:)ation and position, which I am now 
in, and, if nt)t, vou will no doubt be sadl\' surprised to hear 
the undersigned, your son, in such dangerous and perilous 
position. Yes, while I am writing this very letter the balls, 
shells and fragments of shells are fl>'ing around \\\y head like 
so many hail-stones, and do not know what moment I may be 
killed or victimized b)- a Mexican cannon ball or the fragments 
of shells. Well, as a fellow soldier said, if it is my lot to be 
killed, it shall be glorious!)' in defence of our country and our 
glorious old flag. Landed on the 9th without any opposition. 
During all this time we were bu.sy working in building breast- 
works and batteries and making preparation for the bombard- 
ment of the city. During all this labor and operation we were, 
and are to this writing, constantly annoyed with daring and 
ceaseless fire from the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa and the 
batteries on the walls of the surrounding city of Vera Cruz. 

We commenced firing on the city on the 22d inst., and kept 
bu.sy at it until the present time. We have made several large 
holes, or breaches so-called, in the walls, and it is now rumored 
this morning that Gen. Scott has finally concluded to take the 
city by assault, which, of course, means by the point of the 
bayonet. So if this rumor is true, and the assault takes place, 
there will be a great many killed before the city can be taken ; 
but let the result be what it may, I for one shall do my duty 
as a true soldier. Again, I often think (and, in fact, sometimes 
dream) of the romantic hills, valleys and dales in which I 
passed my boyhood, and contrast it with the many dangerous 
struggles, places and positions I am placed in now at war in 
this hot tropical climate ; but there is now no use of thinking 
and fretting, but march and push onward, and never mind or 
think of them, and let us all put our trust in God, and all will 
assuredly be well. The assault on the city is to take place 
this afternoon at 2 o'clock, unless otherwise ordered, and our 
division is to make the assault on breached walls. So let the 
result be what it may, you will hear of me either dead or alive ; 



96 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

if dead, from my commanding officer ; if alive, from me. No 
more, but one word that I am well and hardy, and have been 
so ever .since I am in the army. Write soon. 

? /(H-/ks above Le7L'isto7cii, Pa. Your son, J. J. O. 

SatKnIav, March 27, 1847.— This morning Gens. Worth. 
Pillow and Col. Joseph G. Totten, of the Engineer Corps, 
were appointed by Gen. Scott commissioners on the part 
of our arm\', and Senors Vellanner, Robles and Gen. 
Herrear appointed by the Governor of Vera Cruz, on 
the part of the Mexican Army. This evening the com- 
missioners of both parties came to terms and the articles 
of surrender were signed and approved by the two com- 
missioners and commanding officers. The terms are as 
follows : — 

Article i. The whole garrison to be surrendered to the 
Army of the United States as prisoners of war, and to lay 
down their arms to such officers as may be appointed by the 
General-in-Chief of the United States Army and at a point to 
be a<'-reed upon by the commissioners. The surrender is to 
take place on the 29th instant. 

Article 2. Mexican officers shall presej've their arms and pri- 
\-ate effects, including horse and horse fixtures, and to be al- 
lowed regular and irregular officers, as also the rank and file 
five days to return to their respective homes, on parole, as here- 
inafter prescribed. 

Article 3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in ar- 
ticle I . the Mexican flags of the various forts and stations 
shall be struck, saluted by their own batteries and immediately 
thereafter forts Santiago and Conception and the Ca.stle of San 
Juan de Ulloa occupied by the forces of the United States. 

Article 4. The rank and file of the regular portion of the 
prisoners to be di.sposed of after surrender and parole as their 
General-in-Chief may desire, and the irregular be permitted to 
return to their homes, the officers in respect to all arms and 
description of force giving the usual parole that the said rank 
and file, as well as themselves, shall not serve again until duly 
exchanged. 

Article 5. .\11 material of war and all public property of 
every description found in the city and Ca.stle of San Juan de 
Ulloa, and their dependencies, to belong to the United 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 97 

States, but the arms of the same not injured or destroyed in 
the further prosecution of the actual war may be considered as 
hable to be restored to Mexico by a definite treaty of peace. 

Article 6. The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to 
remain in the city and no property is to be taken or used by 
the forces of the United States without previous arrangement 
with the owners and for a fair equivalent. 

Article 7. Absolute protection is solemnly guaranteed to all 
persons in the city. 

Article 8. Absolute freedom of religious worship and cere- 
monies is solemnly guaranteed, and the sick to be attended 
by such medical officers of the army as may be necessary to 
their cure and treatment. 

All quiet to-night and can sleep without being annoyed by 
the roar of artillery and the explosion of bombshells over our 
heads. 

Sunday Mmrh 28, 1847. — This morning we had orders read 
to us to clean our belts, brasses, and brighten up our mus- 
kets. Also to wash and c/can ourselves and clotjiing, so as to 
look like soldiers and not like so many sand diggers and bat- 
tery builders, which profession we have been following for the 
last five and six days, and iverc dirty enough. 

At noon, our regiment was ordered from our old quarters, 
No. 5 Battery, to a place in front of the city of Vera Cruz, and 
here encamped until our advance on the capital in the after- 
noon, Some of our men started out after beef. They were 
not gone long before they fell in with some of the guerillas, 
and after a hot skirmish, our men were obliged to return to 
camp without the beef They were fortunate enough to make 
t|ieir escape to camp in safety. They say that there is plenty 
of the finest cattle ip the country about ten miles from Vera 
Cruz. They are guarded by a strong body of guerillas ; no 
cioubt, belonging to some of the cattle dealers in Mexico. 

Monday, March 29, 1847. — This is a lovely morning, and 
everybody is in high spirits making preparation for the grand 
surrender. About 8 o'clock, a. M.,the drums began to beat to 
fall in line; after a few complimentaries from our officers, we 
marched down towards the city and formed in front of the 

7 



m NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

city. The rci^^ulars and sailors were formed opposite to us, 
and Col. W. S. Harney's dragoons and several pieces of artil- 
lery on the right, leaving an aisle for the Mexican soldiers and 
their followers to march out in the circle to surrender. 

After the arrangements were all completed, a signal was 
given, requesting the Mexicans to march out. At lO o'clock, 
A. M., the Mexicans blowed their trumpets announcing their 
coming, and all eyes were then cast towards the Mexicans. It 
was a beautiful sight to see the Mexican army with their 
drums, fifes and bands of music playing and their flags flying 
in the air, marching out of their doomed city, which they 
have so bravely and gallantly defended to the last hour. 

As they marched, we could see them now and then look 
back to Vera Cruz, kiss and wave their hands and bidding it 
good-bye, when they came to a halt opposite the flag-staff. 
The Mexican officers then came to Gen. Scott's head-quarters, 
who was surrounded in full uniform, by his staff Commissioners, 
and Commodores Oliver H. Perry and Tatnall, and their staff 
officers. After greeting one another, some conversation took 
place in regard to the stipulation and agreement. After this 
the signal was given for the Mexican soldiers to stack their 
arms, or muskets, cartridge boxes, belts, and other munitions 
and implements of war, after which they were let go to their 
homes. 

Some showed signs that they were glad to get rid of their arms, 
and seemed to lay them down cheerfully, while others slammed 
their muskets and accoutrements down on the ground with 
an oath and anger. One fellow could be seen taking the flag 
off the pole and hiding it away in his bosom, no doubt presented 
to him by some fair lady of Vera Cruz, and he swore by the great 
God of the Universe, that he would for ever protect it, stand 
by and defend it from falling into the hands of the enemy. 
He was let keep it. He was ^o rejoiced over it that he 
cried like a child. 

The whole number of prisoners were nearly six thousand 
soldiers. They were all well uniformed and drilled, but they 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 99 

were nearly all what we called black men. Some were real 
negroes, while others were Mexican Indians, who are com- 
posed of all mixtures and of all grades of color, which is 
naturally very dark and coarse. I must now again speak of 
the surrender. It was one of the grandest sights and specta- 
cles that I have ever seen. Yet I tell you it was hard to see 
the poor women with their small children strapped upon their 
mother's back, and with what little clothing they could carry, 
toddling along with the Mexican soldiers. 

Everything passed off quietly ; no insulting remarks or fun 
was made towards the Mexicans as they passed out, we looked 
upon them as a conquered foe, who have fought for their fire- 
sides and property, the same as we would have done if attacked 
by a foreign foe. 

After they had all marched out that wanted to go, Gen. 
Worth, with his division, triumphantly marched into the 
beautiful city of the True Cross, with the bands playing 
" Yankee Doodle," " Star Spangled Banner," " Hail Columbia." 
The Mexican flags were hauled down and the Stars and Stripes 
put in their place, waving in the breeze and saluted by our 
artillery, which caused great shouts and cheering among all 
the soldiers and sailors. The sailors were not long afterwards 
until they pulled down the Mexican flag from the flag-pole on the 
strong and impregnable Castle of San Juan de Ulloa and ran 
up the victorious American flag in its place. We could 
plainly hear the sailors shouting and cheering in our camp. 
We were all sorry that we were not allowed to march into the 
city and see some of the fun. Gen. Worth was made Governor 
and commanding officer of Vera Cruz until our army marches 
on to the capital.* After all the excitement had died away, we 
were ordered to march back to our encampment, well pleased 
with the sublime sight — the surrender of Vera Cruz. Our loss 
during the siege of Vera Cruz from March 9th until to-day, 
was seventeen killed and twenty-eight wounded; the Mexican 
loss by their own report, was over eleven hundred killed and 
wounded, mostly all killed by the explosion of our shells and 
shots. 



100 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Tuesday, March 30,1847. — This morning we received our 
tents, which we have not seen since we left Lobos Island, 
and went to work and pitched them in line. So we are again 
under cover, and protected from the hot sun. 

At noon Alburtus Welsh and myself got permission from 
our Captain to go to the city. We passed through a large 
gateway, and in walking through some of the principal streets 
we noticed that our naval battery did some heavy damage 
to the public and private buildings. The Mexicans informed 
us that the loss among the women and children was far 
greater than among the soldiers. There is one place where 
there are more than two hundred soldiers buried, all killed at 
the battery. According to our promise, we both soon returned 
to camp, where we learned, I don't know how true it is, that an 
expedition was to start this evening to Alvarado on the 
coast, a town containing about twelve hundred or thirteen 
hundred inhabitants. It is to consist of the South Carolina, 
Alabama and Georgia Volunteers and two hundred dragoons, 
under the command of Maj. Beale, and a section of Capt. 
Steptoe's battery, commanded by Lieut. Judd, and the whole 
under the command of Gen. John A. Quitman. The United 
States Navy, under Com. Tatnall, is to co-operate with Gen. 
Quitman's force. The object is to communicate with the town 
and clear our rear. 

This afternoon I noticed a good many of our soldiers, as 
well as sailors, going out to the outskirts of Vera Cruz; in 
fact so many that the guards received strict orders to stop all 
men from going outside of the picket-line, as tl-je chaparral 
is full of rancheros and ladrones. Sure enough, this evening, 
some of them returned, and stated that they had been several 
times chased, and the only thing that saved them was that 
they had their muskets and six-shooters with them. 

They think that the rancheros or lancers have captured 
several of our " tars ;" and if this is true, I would not give 
much for their lives. It seems the Mexicans are very bitter 
against Uncle Sam's sailors. The latter had better obey 
orders and stay in camp. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 101 

Wednesday, March, 31, 1847. — This morning the soldiers 
had the privilege of visiting the city in squads of ten men 
from each company, accompanied by a non-commissioned 
officer, and with strict orders not to insult or molest any of 
the citizens. I was one of the lucky ten from our company. 
We started, and soon got to the outskirts of the city. We 
walked on until we were stopped by sentinel, who was 
stationed at a stone bridge; this bridge is just outside of the 
gate of the city entrance. It is built like some of our country- 
road bridges, arched and parapet on each side, and a few old 
benches, which looked as if they had been used for lounges. 
There are several shady trees around this bridge, but their 
appearance proves that they suffered considerably from our 
shots and shells. After showing our passes to the officer at 
the gate we walked on, and came to the fountain called " Cen- 
tral," which seems to be the favorite place of resort of the 
poorer class, and for the watering of beasts. We noticed 
several water-carriers, and an aquador, with his donkey with 
kegs or earthen jars, halt and fill them up with water ; after 
which he drives around the city and distributes it to families, 
who pay a few pennies daily. 

Walking around, I took more pains in examining the city 
to-day than I did yesterday, for I was then in a hurry. 

We find Vera Cruz well and strongly built with stones ; the 
houses are mostly two stories high ; the streets, except the 
main street, are mostly narrow, that is they are not so wide as 
the streets of Philadelphia. They also have a fine cathedral, 
which is the main one in this city. The floor is paved with 
small marble blocks. This church has suffered considerable 
during the bombardment, because it was more conspicuous 
than any other building in the city. 

We also visited the forts and half-moon batteries, which has 
a full sweep over the plains; and by taking it by assault, which 
was intended, had the Mexicans not surrendered, it would 
have cost at least over one thousand men. 



102 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

It is true, a great many of the batteries were disabled and 
guns dismounted, but every main street was strongly barri- 
caded with breastworks and artillery. The wall which sur- 
rounds the city is about fifteen feet high, with half-moon bat- 
teries thereon, and a deep ditch about twenty feet wide, and 
five or six feet deep, filled with water. 

In fact, there seems to be no end to the artillery. There 
must have been from one to two hundred in the city, besides 
the ammunition. The walls were at several places crushed 
pretty badly. The little Catholic Church near the gate 
suffered very much. 

The Mexicans seemed to be very shy ; they are afraid to 
even show themselves, particularly the women, who, whenever 
they see us Yankee soldiers coming, would instantly run into 
their casas and shut the door until we had passed, after which 
they would peep out and look where we were going. They, 
no doubt, say to themselves, " There go those barbarous and 
murderous Yankees." 

We also saw several flocks of large black fowls, looking 
somewhat like our crows or buzzards. I noticed they mostly 
roost and rest upon the towers and crosses of churches, 
cupalos and house-tops. They fly about singly and in pairs ; 
they descend upon the streets and pick up all the offal and re- 
fuse ; in fact, they seem to be the only offal gatherers in the 
city. They mostly gather at the fish market, and steal fish 
from the sellers. There is a penalty for shooting or harming 
these zapilatcs, as they are called in the Spanish language. 

After we had seen all we cared to see, we returned to our 
camp well pleased with our visit to the first city in Mexico. 

Vera Cruz was built by Cortez and his men as soon as they 
landed. After it was built, Fernando Cortez and his officers 
held a council of war and resolved to destroy and burn all 
their ships, and either conquer or die in the country, which re- 
sulted in conquering and plundering the w^hole of Mexico, 
with the loss of a great many men on both sides. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 103 

Thursday, April i, 1847. — This morning being the ist of 
April, it being All Fools' Day, I saw several of our men 
fooled, and some were made to believe that peace is declared, 
and that we will soon be on our way way toward home. 

To-day several of our men went to the city, and some 
visited the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa.* After they returned 
to camp they reported that the castle was an immensely strong 
fortress, mounting some of the largest guns in the world, and 
having any quantity of ammunition. 

Friday, April 2, 1847. — This morning there was a small 
paper published in the city by some of our enterprising 
Yankees, called the American Eagle, a very appropriate name. 
It sells for twelve and a half cents a copy. Gen. Scott is now 
preparing his army for an advance on the city of Mexico, 
but is still lacking in horses, mules, wagons, ammunition, field- 
pieces, or light artillery ; also, provisions, which have not yet 
arrived from the United States. This is what keeps us here 
in this hot and sickly place. 

At noon Col. Harney, with a detachment of his dragoons, 
under the command of Capt. George A. H. Blake, and several 
pieces of Capt. Taylor's artillery, and about five hundred in- 
fantry, started on an expedition toward a notorious town called 
Antiguo (Old Town). The object is to break up a gang of 
guerillas, rancheros and murderers, who constantly kill our 
soldiers and sailors if they happen to catch any alone, or who 
may unfortunately go beyond our encampment. 

Saturday, April t,, 1847. — This morning orders were issued 
from Col. Wynkoop not to permit any soldiers to leave 
the camp, owing to a murder committed yesterday morning 
near the city, on a French gardener. They robbed him first, 
then murdered him. I believe they have caught the murderer, 
who is, I am glad to say, not a soldier or a sailor, but a fol- 
lower of the army, and no doubt justice will be done to him. 

*Cortez commenced to build the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa in 1 582. 



104 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

This evening Gen. Worth's division appeared on dress 
parade with an excellent band of music. Col. Harney's expe- 
dition arrived in camp this evening and reported that they had 
broken up the guerillas' quarters, and brought in some eight or 
ten prisoners and about thirty horses. 

To-night there is a gentle breeze wafting in from the Gulf of 
Mexico, which makes everything look happy and agreeable 
among the boys. 

Sunday, April 4^, 1847. — This morning our squad had the 
privilege of going to the city. After arriving we concluded 
to go to church, which we found nearly full of soldiers, who, 
like us, went for curiosity to see what could be seen. Among 
the audience was Maj.-Gen. Winfield Scott. The priest gave 
him a lighted candle, which he held while the ceremony was 
going on. After church we strolled around the streets and 
visited the wharves, where a number of vessels were laying to 
unload ammunition, ordnance, provisions, etc. Returned to 
camp. 

It is rumored this evening that the man that killed the French 
gardener will be hung to-morrow ; it is also rumored that the 
vice-president, of Mexico, Paris, has resigned or has been 
expelled from his seat, etc. 

Monday, AprU 5, 1847. — This morning the man that mur- 
dered and robbed the Frenchman will be hung. 

At noon a man named Isaac Kirk, a colored man, and, I 
believe, a free citizen of the United States, yet who has lived 
here for a number of years, was arrested for committing, or 
attempting to commit a rape on the person of Mrs. Maria 
Antonia (lallegas, a Mexican woman, yesterday on the road 
between the ruins of Malilran and Vera Cruz ; also for stealing 
ten dollars and a silver comb. He should have been shot on 
the spot. He will be tried by court-martial, which is now 
sitting in Vera Cruz, and no doubt will be speedily convicted 
and hung as high as Haman. 

Tuesday, April 6, 1847. — This morning Mr. Beasly, of Co. 
I), First Pennsylvania Volunteers, died of brain fever. There 
are several of our company laid up with the same complaint. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 105 

At noon Gen. Quitman's expedition arrived in camp 
from Alvarado. The expedition was what was expected — a 
full success. 

The Mexican soldiers, having previously heard of the sur- 
render of Vera Cruz and the castle, abandoned the town of 
Alvarado before our troops arrived. They bring with them 
some four or five hundred high-spirited horses — something 
much needed at this time for our dismounted dragoons. They 
say that the country from Vera Cruz to Alvarado is very 
fertile, with luxuriant tropical vegetation, such as grain, 
oranges, figs, dates, bananas and cocoanuts. 

This evening Mr. Beasly was buried in the Catholic 
cemetery close by our present quarters. His corpse was fol- 
lowed and accompanied by Brig.-Gen. Pillow and his staff. 
While the funeral ceremony was going on in the cemetery a 
cart brought out of Vera Cruz two dead bodies (Mexicans), 
dug out from the ruins in the city. They were in a deplora- 
ble condition, turned all black, as coal itself 

This evening is unusually hot and close, making everything 
very unpleasant for the soldiers, and particularly the weary and 
sick. But, thank God ! the arrangements for our start on the 
march for the interior of Mexico are nearly completed, when 
we will leave this miserable and sickly section of country for 
a healthier climate. 

Wednesday, April y^ i847- — This morning another member 
of Co. D, First Pennsylvania Volunteers, died. His name is 
George Gun. He died with the same disease as Mr. Beasly 
did. He was only sick two days. 

At noon I again visited the city, probably for the last time, 
that is, for some time to come. I was pleased to see it look so 
lively ; it begins to show a different appearance. What a 
wonderful change ! When we first entered this city we could 
get nothing to drink or eat, and found nobody to talk to. Now 
the streets are lined with eatables and drinkables ; they are 
thronged with Mexicans and Americans alike. Streets that 
were then filled up with fragments of stone and mortar are 



106 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

now cleared of the rubbish, and nothing is now left to tell of 
the destruction the city sustained during the bombardment. 
The harbor is crowded with American vessels, filled with 
American goods, busy unloading stores, ammunition of war, 
etc. The citizens, with a sprinkling of Americans, are open- 
ing their stores with the products of American commerce and 
industry, and in a few weeks this city of Vera Cruz will be a 
place, and its inhabitants, who have suffered so much of late, 
will be in the enjoyment of all the comforts of life. The 
Mexicans themselves seem to have undergone a change, for 
being free from the presence of their own army, which daily 
levied contributions from them, they have a protection in our 
army, and a General who suffers no wrong to be committed 
without awarding severe punishment to the offender. This 
city is like every other town or city — it is full of rumors, 
chiefly about the Mexican Government at the capital. Some 
tell you that Gen. Santa Anna has been defeated in all his 
plans of operation, and that he is a prisoner ; another that 
opposition against Gen. Santa Anna has all been put down, and 
that quiet reigns in the capital. No doubt Gen. Santa Anna 
will establish himself in power. Then we shall look for results 
of great moment, and the sooner that event comes the better 
will we, the Yankees, be satisfied. 

In the afternoon I returned to camp with as much alacrity as 
if I had been enjoying a long siesta after the heat of the day. 

To-day nine members of our Co. C, First Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers, including Lieut. Casper M. Berry, were discharged, 
and will sail on the loth inst. on the steamship " Virginia" for 
home, sweet home, promising to never return to Mexico again 
as soldiers. This evening Mr. George Gun was buried in the 
cemetery with all the honors of war. 

Thursday, April '^, 1847. — This morning on parade orders 
were read for us to pack up and leave camp at 10 o'clock, a. m. 
Every soldier was busy in packing his knapsack and striking 
tents, and all were soon ready for a long march. All seemed 
to be much rejoiced in getting away from this awful sickly 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 107 

climate. When lo o'clock came around the orders for march- 
ing were countermanded, that is, our division, but that of Gen. 
Twiggs, Second Division, left. He goes by the National Road 
leading toward the city of Jalapa, where he is to halt, provided 
he is not stopped by the enemy before he gets that far. Our 
division is to follow to-morrow. • To-day I learn that Lieut. 
George Moore of Co. D, First Pennsylvania Volunteers, who 
was reported as having resigned his position in the army at 
New Orleans, reported himself to his company last evening for 
duty, and promises to stay with his company during the war 
with Mexico. He says that he never resigned his position in 
the company ; that he got leave of absence from Col. Wynkoop 
to go home to attend to some very important business. 

This evening we again had orders read, stating that we will pos- 
itively leave to-morrow morning ; also, that Brevet-Col. Henry 
Wilson, of the First Infantry United States Army, is assigned 
to the governorship of Vera Cruz, and that Gen. Worth is to 
take command of his division and follow us. Also, that the 
court-martial has found Isaac Kirk guilty of theft and attempt- 
ing to commit a rape upon Mrs. Maria A. Gallegas, and sen- 
tenced him to be hanged April lO, at 5 o'clock, p. M. ; also, 
Joseph Grussenmyer and Francis Crystol, both of Co. D, First 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, were found guilty of theft, and sen- 
tenced to a fine of one month's pay and one month's imprison- 
ment in the Castle of San Juan de UUoa. 

The sentence of Isaac Kirk for rape committed on a native 
woman, will no doubt convince the Mexican people that we 
are not a set of barbarians, murdering fiends, pillagers and 
ravishers. The sentence passed to be hung to death, on a cit- 
izen of the United States for an offense committed against an 
enemy. What a lesson it ought to be, too, to those to whom 
we have been painted as savages, outlaws, respecting neither 
religion nor law, and committing all over the country we have 
occupied, the crimes for which the poor wretch is about to 
suffer death. We hope the sagacity of our able commander 
will succeed in giving the lie, and the establishment of a 
military commission is the first step toward it. 



108 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Friday^ April g, 1847. — This morning at 6 o'clock we took 
up our line of march for the interior of Mexico. We passed 
the city on the western side, passed Brig.-Gen. Twigg's old 
camp, Vergara. Nothing was left but a few old camp-kettles, 
pots, clothing, etc. We kept along the sea beach for several 
miles, after which we passed over a very sandy road, called the 
National Road to the city of Mexico. Talk about the sandy 
roads in New Jersey ! Why they are no comparison to this 
one. We came to a halt at a small place called Santa Fe. 
Here we were allowed one-half hour to refresh ourselves, after 
which we again fell in and marched on until we came to a 
stream called San Juan, about eighteen miles from Vera Cruz. 
Here we halted and encamped for the night, and, as a fellow 
said, we were devilish glad of it, for we had to carry our own 
baggage and grub. Our officers were compelled to leave their 
baggage at Vera Cruz, there being no wagons to transport it. 

We noticed the road, all along, was strewn with knapsacks, 
clothing, and other articles belonging to Gen. Twiggs' division, 
which is in our advance. 

There was not much variety in the scenery on our march 
to-day — no luxuriant tropical vegetation, orange-groves and 
picturesque scenery, which, it was said, we would meet at 
every step we took toward the capital. Perhaps we have not 
come to them yet. The country we passed over to-day is 
rough and barren, wild with forest trees and numerous 
chaparrals. 

On our march many of our soldiers kept lagging back, 
could not keep up with the army, and no doubt some will fall 
into the hands of the guerillas, who are numerous in this sec- 
tion of the country, and who are mostly " laying " for our 
straggling soldiers to murder them whenever they can get a 
chance. 

To-day was extremely hot, and, as I stated before, the road 
very sandy, dusty and hot, and with no good water on the 
whole route. The ranches and huts along the National Road 
are all deserted, and not a Mexican could be seen all day. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 109 

Saturday, April loth, 1 847. — This morning at daylight we 
started, and did not march fast, partly on account of not 
having far to go, and also, on account of some of our men 
having the diarrhoea, sore and blistered feet and being much 
fatigued. I noticed to-day, the further we are advancing, the 
more beautiful and picturesque the country is getting. The 
road is well shaded with fine palm and cocoanut trees. At 
2 o'clock, p. M., we arrived at a bridge called Puenta de Las 
Vegas ; here we bivouacked for the balance of the day and 
night. A party was detailed to go after some came, (beef), 
and it was not long before they brought in fresh beef On 
our march to-day, we saw several Mexicans who seemed 
friendly and wanted to talk with us, but not knowing their 
language, we did not know what they wanted ; I did not want 
to trust myself alone with them five minutes for I think they 
are treacherous. To-night nearly all the men went into the 
river bathing, after which they all felt more comfortable. 

Sunday, April nth, 1847. — This morning we again took 
up our line of march, and passed through a wild, barren, 
tract of country ; water was scarcely to be had. It looked as 
if nobody had ever lived here, for no houses or shanties could 
be seen. We saw plenty of fine large cattle along the road, 
and our men would shoot and kill a fine ox just for his 
tongue, heart or liver. Some of our men say that they must 
be wild cattle, as no one seems to make any claim for them. 

About 3 o'clock, p. M., we came in sight of the Puenta 
Nacional. This is, in fact, the first splendid scenery we have 
seen since we landed on the shores of Mexico. The Puenta 
Nacional, or National Bridge, is a fine, substantial, well-con- 
structed bridge, built with solid stone arches, through which 
rushes a beautiful stream of water, called Rio Antiqua, or 
Old River. It puts me in mind of the arched stone bridge 
over the Conestoga Creek east of Lancaster City, Pa., except 
that this is considerably higher than the Conestoga bridge. 
At the end of this bridge, and on a hill, is a fort, built of 
stone, in 1 804 ; it is to protect the National Road. It is the 



110 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

work of ancient days, built by the Spaniards in Cortez's time. 
It commands the bridge and the winding road, and is con- 
sidered by the Mexicans to be one of the strongest positions 
between this and the city of Puebla. It is 35 miles from 
Vera Cruz and 230 miles from the city of Mexico. 

Brig.-Gen. Pillow, took quarters in the summer residence of 
Maj.-Gen. Lopez de Santa Anna. It is a splendid, neat, low 
building, with a fine fountain. Our regiment encamped on 
this side of the bridge, on a large open field, without tents. 

On to-day's march many of our men were compelled to 
throw off everything except their blankets, for they could not 
carry them any longer and keep up with the main army. They 
were so much exhausted and fatigued from unaccustomed toil- 
some and hard marching that they were hardly able to carry 
themselves. 

In the evening our mess had chicken soup for supper. The 
polio (chicken) we got on the way, and promised to pay the 
Mexican when we come again this road on our way home. The 
Mexican agreed to trust that long. At dark I noticed nearly 
all the soldiers were taking a bath in the rapid stream of Old 
River, washing off the dust and sweat. 

Our soldiers who have been lagging in the rear are now 
coming in slowly, with bitter complaints of the cruel and 
inhuman treatment they received from the rear guard, through 
the orders from Gen. Pillow. Many of our men are weak and 
exhausted from the effects of bad water and diarrhoea, which 
makes them unable to keep up with the army. They drop off 
on the side of the road under some tree, and there rest them- 
selves, and some probably may go to sleep without much 
coaxing. It is reported that Gen. Pillow has instructed the 
rear guard to pick up every soldier lagging on the wayside ; 
that they must keep up with the main army ; and if not, to put 
the bayonet in their rear, or tie them to the tail end of the 
wagons and drag them along. Oh, chivalrous Brig.-Gen. 
Gideon Johnson Pillow — for such is your name in full — how 
can you be so hard-hearted, so harassing, so cruel, on these 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. Ill 

poor unfortunate sick, delicate and much-exh^tusted soldiers ? 
Remember, these men are not your slaves on your plantation. 
Nay, they are your equals and your peers in all and every 
society in the whole United States of America. I at this 
moment hear determined threats and warnings from these 
unfortunate soldiers to Gen. Pillow to beware of his bad and 
tyrannic treatment towards them, and I even hear some of the 
Pennsylvania and Tennessee volunteers threatening to shoot 
Gen. Pillow the first opportunity offered. 

We marched hard all this weary day, 

And camped at night by this Uttle stream, 

Where all night long on our arms we lay, 
To watch and rest, to sleep and dream. 

Monday, April 12, 1847. — This morning after breakfast, my- 
self and a small party started ahead of our division for the pur- 
pose of taking our time, and marching along slowly until our 
regiment comes up ; but we were soon overtaken by the ad- 
vance-guard, headed by Brig.-Gen, Pillow, who rode up to us 
with his strong body-guard, and commanded us to go to the 
rear and join our regiment. 

Lieut. Wm. H. Gray, of Co. F, First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, who, at the time, happened to be with us, was 
asked by Gen. Pillow what regiment he belonged to. " To the 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, sir," was the reply. 
" Go back immediately, join your regiment, and consider your- 
self under arrest." "Aye! Aye! sir," was the answer. 

We went back a little piece, sat and lay on the soft grass 
under a big tree, cursing and swearing vengeance against Gen. 
Pillow. As soon as the regiment came up we fell into line, 
and marched on until we came to a few deserted huts, or 
ranches, as we call them. Here we halted and refreshed our- 
selves with a good fresh supply of water, which, I am glad to 
mention, is the best we had since we left the United States. 

After a little rest we again started, and passed over a partly 
hilly and partly fine level country, with shade trees and mixed 
chaparrals on both sides of the National Road. After we had 



112 NOTES OF THP: MEXICAN WAR. 

marched about' five miles we heard the report of artillery, in 
our adv^ance, which raised the cry throughout the whole di- 
vision, "A fight ahead! A fight ahead! Huzza! Huzza! 
Huzza! " In fact, we were so much aroused with admiration 
and confidence of soon having another fight with the enemy, 
that we had almost forgotten our fatigue and our tiresome 
marching. 

Being thus encouraged, we hurried along a little faster, 
when we met with a courier, or express-rider, who stated that 
Brig.-Gen. Twiggs, who is in our advance, had fallen in with 
the enemy, and had a little brush with him, after which he 
(Twiggs) fell back to the watering-place, and was now await- 
ing re-enforcements, and for the arrival of Gen. Scott. 

We arrived in camp about 4 o'clock, p. m., and encamped 
at the lively stream called Plan del Rio (River of the Plain), 
over which is a splendid stone bridge, built in 1804, of cement, 
and very substantial. 

•This evening it is rumored that Gen. Twiggs is making a 
reconnoisance, and that he is determined to attack the Mexi- 
cans as soon as possible, and before the arrival of the general- 
in-chief, if convenient. 

There is a village here composed of miserable shanties and 
huts, and, like most of those we passed along the National 
Road, were nearly all deserted by their owners and tenants. 

At dark Maj.-Gen. Robert Patterson and his staff arrived 
and took up quarters in an old church or convent. 

Late this evening nearly the whole regiment took a bath in 
the noble River of the Plain, after which we lay down on the 
bare ground to take a good rest and much-wanted sleep. 

" When our earthly cares are over, 
And we enter into our rest, 
May we join that seraphic choir 

That dwells in the land of the blest !" 

I have heard and read a good deal about the richness and 
sunny skies of Mexico, but if this is a sample of the country 
and balmy breeze, I don't care about going much further. 



NOTi:'^ OF THI'. MEXICAN WAR. 11?. 

Tucsdav Apfil l ^, 1S47. — Ihis morning- at reveille we were 
all \\\i and clown at the stream, some bathini;-, others washing- 
their only shirts, the rest having; all been thrown aua\- on our 
march. 

All da}- the stragglers kept coming in to camp, those that 
could not keep up with the division. They say that the)- shut 
the rear-guard's and Gen. Pillow's eyes up by going in oH the 
main road, so that the)' could not be seen or found. 

At noon to-day den. Twiggs issued orders to ])repare to 
storm the pass of Cerro (iordo at midnight, but, fortunately, 
Maj.-Gen. Patterson arrived last e\'ening, and rej)orted himself 
for dut)- this morning, and dela)-ed the attack until the arrival 
of (icn. Scott. .Several scouting parties .started out to-day, 
and brought in a few prisoners, who reported that Gen. 
Antonio Lopez De .Santa Anna is at the Cerro (iordo Pass with 
thirteen or fourteen thousand soldiers, strongl)' entrenched, 
with batteries well planted and fortified. 

This evening some of the drag(^ons came into camp and 
reported hax'ing found three of our soldiers dead on the 
road. Two of them belonged to the New York regiment, and 
the other to the Second Dragoons. 

Late this evening a train of some eight)- wagons started 
back to Vera Cruz for provisions and ammunition for the 
attack on Cerro Gordo. Capt. Wall's field batter)-, attached 
to our division, is encamped close by our regiment ; the)- are 
brightening up their pieces and getting them ready for action. 

This is a lovely night, making it very plea.sant to sleep in 
the tierrcs calioitcs (warm countr)-). and ]:)articularl)- without 
tents. All quiet )'et. 

Wednesday, April 14, 1847. — This morning, after reveille, 
some soldiers enjoyed themselves in fishing and suimming_ 
while others went out after beef. In the afternoon our Com- 
mander-in-Chief, Maj.-(ien. Winfield Scott, arrived at our camp 
and took up his tjuarters in an old ranch beside the National 
Road. As the (jeneral came riding b)', our soldiers took oft' 
their caps and hats, and those that had nothing on their heads 
8 



114 NOTKS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

tapped their heads with their riglit liand and sahited him. The 
General re.sponded to the .salute by rai.sing- his old straw hat. 

This ex'enin^ Col. Wynkoop ordered a dress parade, and it 
7i.uis a dress parade. Some with straw hats, some with caps, 
and others with Mexican hats ; some with one boot or shoe 
on, and others with no hats or boots or shoes ; some had 
Mexican coats on. and some had hardl}- anythin<^ on except 
shirt and pants ; in fact, it looked more like a fa utas tic parade 
than a military one. After this we went into the River of the 
Plains and took a good bath, and then laid down for the night. 

Thitrsdav, April 15,1 847. — This mornini; the reveille aroused 
us from ovn- good night's slumber, and about 10 o'clock Gen. 
Scott started out with his engineer cor])s to make a new 
reconnoisance, and found that an attack in front on the 
National Road batteries would cause the sacrifice of thousands 
of men, and in all probability defeat to our army. He dis- 
approved of (ieneral T\\ iggs' ]ilan of attack, and ordered a 
new road to be cut back of the hills of Cerro Gordo. 

At noon we were detailed to accom]:»any Gen. Pillow and his 
engineers to make a reconnoissance up to the left of Cerro 
Gordo hill or ])ass. We marched about three miles on the 
main road, when Me took in through the chaparral, and 
marched about a mile more to the left. We went quietly and 
cautiousl)' along, when we were ordered to halt and rest. We 
were then ordered to lie down, which we were very glad to 
do, being much fatigued and tired. During this time Gen. 
Pillow and his engineer corps were reconnoitering to find out 
the real position of the Mexican batteries. They went on 
until they were discovered by the Mexican pickets. The shrill 
trumpet sounded the alarm, and never was a set of men sooner 
on their feet than us. It put me in nnnd of the first night after 
we landed below Vera Cruz, when we were aroused by the 
firing of pickets. Gen. Pillow and his engineers soon returned, 
saying that he had found out all he wanted to know, and 
ordered us to march back to our camp. Much fatigued and 
parched wfth thirst, we arrived in camp about supper time, 
which was being prepared tor us. 



NOI'KS OK I'MK MEXKWN WAR. 11", 

While others were i)re])ariiiL;- their nuiskets ami ainimiiiition 
to be read)- for action, to-nicTJit we went into the River of the 
Plains and washed the dust and dirt off us, after which we went 
quietly to sleep. 

]-rida\\ April l6, 1847. — This niorniuL;- there is a -gentle 
breeze which seems to waft across tlie hills from the blue 
(iulf of Mexico. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., Gen. Scott ordered (len. Twi^i^s' tlivi- 
sion to take possession of a le\el hill opi)osite Cerro (iordo, 
and station his twent\--four pounder and several liowitzers on it. 

To-day almost ever)- soldier seems to be in <^ootl humor, 
and making- threat pre[)arations for the approaching battle. 
Some are fixini;- their fire arms, others are writiuL^ letters, and 
probably their wills, others are thinking;" of nothino' but walk- 
ing througli camp whistling;', sinq,"ini4 sonos ; and some can be 
seen playint^ a i^amc of cards. 

This afternoon. Gen. William J. Worth and his division 
arrived in cam]), and re])orted haxint;" a skirmi.sh with some of 
the ouerrillas. who attacked his rear ouard and also his beef 
party who went after some cattle off the road; none of our 
men were killed or wounded. This evening;" the proxision and 
siege trains arrived from Vera Cruz, the teamsters report the 
road in a bad condition. It is rumored that the attack upon 
the hei<^hts of Cerro (iordo wn'll soon be made. The ammu- 
nition, provisions and siet^e ouns are all that kept us waitini; 
here. 

It seems the Mexicans ha\e not discovered Gen. Twiggs' 
pioneers cutting the new road around the foot of the hill, at 
least we have heard no firing from that direction. To-night 
is a beautiful night ; the stars are shining brightly over the 
heads of the United States Army encamped on the plain near 
Plan del Rio, Mexico. 

Ten o'clock, p. m., no news from Gen. Iwiggs or his ojjera- 
tions on the heights of Cerro Gordo, nor can we lieai' an\- 
thing, on account of all around here being thicket, with large 
forest trees. 



lit) NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Saturday, April 17. 1 S47. — This mornin<4 the balance of 
Gen. Tvvio-o-s' division left for the field of action. This division 
is composed mostly of riflemen, reg^ulars and dragoons. They 
are to take a position for the purpose of planting Gen. Twiggs' 
artillery. About 10 o'clock, A. M., we heard the roaring of 
artillery, and in between we could hear the rattling and the 
sharp crack of the rifles. Our advance at first was partly 
repulsed. At this Gen. Twiggs instantly formed his men in 
different position, placing them under the command of Col. 
William S. Harney, and charged on the heights, which was 
done with a yell, driving the enemy from their position and 
holding it. The Mexicans rallied and made a desperate 
attempt to retake their lost position. They charged upon our 
men with great bravery, but were just as bravely repulsed, with 
heavy loss. Our riflemen made every ball tell. Not .satisfied 
with this, they (the enemy) made several attempts to retake 
their much-regretted lost position, but with still less success 
and with heavy losses. The ground all around the hill was 
strewn with dead and wounded Mexicans. 

In the evening Gen. Twiggs sent word that he had carried 
his intended position, and is now safely on the hill, throwing 
up breastworks and planting his battery, and that he (Gen. 
Twiggs) will be ready for action to-morrow morning. Maj. 
Sumner and ten others were reported killed, and twenty 
wounded in to-day's fight. Late this evening, some of Gen. 
Twiggs' wounded soldiers arrived in camp with sorrowful and 
painful looks. They are part of Gen. Twiggs' division, and 
were wounded while driving the Mexicans from a hill. 

The heights of Cerro Gordo — and, in fact, all around here — 
are covered with large forest trees, and in some places with 
stunted mesquit and thickets of prickly chaparral, cactus 
plants, etc., which makes it difficult for soldiers to pass thrt)ugh 
or gain positions. 

This evening, on dress parade, orders from Gen. Scott were 
read to us by Col. Wynkot)p, stating that we should be read)' 
to storm the batteries assigned to Gen. Pillow at 6 o'clock 



^^» 




A. Americaoitinny 

Bi IJatteiT,\(Anierican.) 

C. Cerro Gordo &. Towei 

D. Twiggs* march. 

a. a, ^c. Mexican batteries. 
i,.ft..FilIow'3 brigade 
N. R..N«tionnI roud. 
d. Gen. Shields' brigiide. 
G. Hill stormed by 'i1 inf. 
P-'-8 in. howitzer, (Amor.^ 



118 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

to-morrow morniiii;-, and to have two days" provisions with us. 
The orders which have just been read to us are as follows: — 

r,EN. SCOTT'S ORDERS FOR THE ATTACK ON THE HEIGHTS 
AND DIFFERENT POSITIONS OF CERRO GORDO. 

General Order No. hi. 

The enemy's whole line of entrenchments and batteries will be at- 
tacked in front, and at the same time, early in the day, to-morrow 
probably, before lo o'clock, A. M. 

The Second (Gen. Twiggs') Division of Regulars is already advanced 
within easy turning distance towards the enemy's left. That di\ ision 
has orders to move forward before daylight to-morrow and take up a 
position across the Main or National Road to .the enemy's rear, so as to 
cut off a retreat towards Jalapa City. 

It may be re-enforced to-day, if unexpectedly attacked in force, b\ 
regiments one or two taken from Brig. -Gen. James Shields' brigade of 
volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regiments will march for that pur- 
pose at daylight to-morrow morning, under Brig.-Gen. Shields, who will 
report to Brig.-(ien. David E. Twiggs on getting up with him, or the Gen- 
eral-in-Chief if he be in advance. 

" The remaining regiments of that volunteer brigade will receive in- 
structions in the courjie of this day. 

"The first division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the movement 
against the enemy's left at sunrise to-morrow morning. 

"As already arranged, Brig.-Gen. Pillow's brigade will march at 6 
o'clock to-morrow morning along the route he has carefully reconnoitered, 
and stand ready as soon as he hears the report of arms on our right — 
sooner, if circumstances should favor him to pierce the enemy's line of 
battle at such point — the nearer the river the better — as he may select. 
Once in the rear of that line, he will turn to the right or left, and attack 
the batteries in reserve, or if abandoned, he will pursue the enemy with 
vigor until further orders. 

Wall's field battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve on the 
National Road a little out of way or view and range of the enemy's 
batteries. They will take up that position at 9 o'clock in the morning. 

The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divisions 
and corps will pursue with vigor. This pursuit may be continued many 
miles, until stopped by darkness or fortified position toward Jalapa City ; 
consequently, the body of the army will not return to their encampment, 
but be followed to-morrow afternoon, or early the next morning by the 
baggage-trains for the several corps. For this purpose the feebler 
officers and men of each corps will be left to guard its camp and effects, 
and to load up the. latter in the wagons of the corps. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 119 

As soon as it shall be know n that the enemy's works have been car- 
ried, or that the general pursuit has been commenced, one wagon for 
each regiment and one for the cavalry will follow the movements to re- 
ceive, under the directions of medical officers, the wounded, who will be 
brought back to this place for treatment in the general hospital. 

The surgeon-general will organize this important service, and desig- 
nate that hospital, as well as the medical officers, to be left at that place. 

Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the enemy, will take 
the usual allowance of ammunition and subsistence for, at least, two 
days. 

Thu.s reads Gen. Scott's General Orders, No. iii, which 
shows and points out e\'ery General's position, and the duty 
which they are expected to perform, and which it is expected 
they will carry out to the fullest extent. 

To-night most of our soldiers went into the river swimming 
and washing". .Some were fixing up their firearms and their 
accoutrements ; some were, like myself, writing letters home 
to their parents, wives and friends. 

LETTER TO MV BROTHER FREDERICK. 

Cami- Pj.an del Rio, Mexico, April 17, 1847. 

When 1 last saw you at HoUidaysburg, Pa., I promised vou faithfully 
that I would write to you whenever an opportunity offered, but I am 
sorry to say that I have neglected it until the present time. I hope you 
will excuse me this time, and 1 will try to do better hereafter. 

Our regiment embarked at New Orleans in three different sailing- 
ships, being divided into three divisions, after which we set sail, and 
arrived at Brazos Santiago, January 28,1847. After four days' delay we 
again weighed anchor and sailed for the Island of Lobos, about one 
hundred and twenty miles from Vera Cruz. Here we arrived February 
16, 1847. We here disembarked, and encamped on the island until 
nearly the whole army of (ien. Scott's arrived; after which we again 
embarked, March 3, 1847, and the whole army, on shipboard set sail for 
Vera Cruz, and arrived at a little island called Anton Lizardo, March 
6th. Here the whole fleet, say about two hundred vessels, including the 
men-of-war, was anchored. After several days of preparation and re- 
connoitering to select a suitable place for landing our troops, we landed 
on the 9th of the same month, without any opposition, after surround- 
ing the city of Vera Cruz. The siege commenced on the second day after 
our landing, and lasted till the day when the agreement to surrender the 
city was signed, the 29th, making the siege last for seventeen days, in 
which tremendous and vigorous firing was carried on, Ijoth day and night. 



120 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

/\ccording to Gen. Scott's report, our army and navy had fired over 
three thousand ten-inch shells, two hundred howitzer shells, over one 
thousand Paixhan shot, and twenty-five hundred round shot, weighing in 
all about half a million of pounds. Nearly every house in the city was 
more or less dnmaged from our cannon. Some houses were totally 
ruined ; a part of the Mexican batteries were dismounted ; and several 
heavy breaches made in the walls surrounding the city. This was the 
result of seventeen days of war. 

At lo o'clock, A. M., March 29th, the Mexicans surrendered the city 
of Vera Cruz and the strong Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, with all their 
stores, artillery, ammunition, and other munitions of war, and left for 
their respective homes on parole of honor. After which the flag of the 
United States was soon hoisted over the walls of \'era Cruz and the 
Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and is now waving triumphantly in the 
breeze. We captured over four hundred cannons, over three thousand 
round shot and shells, and six thousand muskets. 

After the surrender. Gen. Scott made immediate preparations to 
march his main army farther into the interior of Mexico, on account of 
the unhealthiness of Vera Cruz and its vicinity, there being already a 
great number of our soldiers sick in the hospital, unfit for any duty. On 
the 8th of April Gen. Da\id E. Twiggs' division, composed of about 
three thousand regular soldiers, with a light field battery and part of 
Col. Harney's dragoons, started on their march towards the halls or 
capital of Mexico. Our division (Gen. Robert Patterson's) followed the 
next day, and for four days marched over a sandy and clayey but well- 
shaded road, but through a poor, miserable, desolated and deserted 
country, producing nothing but prickly pear, long stretches of plate 
cactus, which grows from eight to twelve feet high, and chaparral in 
abundance. In fact, it looks as if the country was too poor to raise any 
kind of grain or vegetables. 

The Mexican rancheros and padrones, fellows who live in miserable 
Jacals or mud-plastered hovels, by their appearance live in a condition 
of filth and poverty. Many have no abrigam (sheltering place). Thev 
are mostly the descendants of the old Mexicans or Chichimeca. Their 
houses, or mud-plastered jacals (as we call them) were mostly deserted, 
in fear of us Yankees. 

We arrived at our present encampment, I'lan del Rio (or River of 
the Plain), on the 12th inst., much exhausted and fatigued from march- 
ing and heat from the hot sun. Here we find our distinguished and 
bosom friend, Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, with about 15,000 
troops, strongly fortified and entrenched, with heavy batteries, contesting 
and disputing our march toward the capital of Mexico. 



NOTES OF THE ^TEXICAN WAR. 121 

During our encamiJiiient here our men have been busy at work in 
making and cutting new roads and planting batteries in different posi- 
tions, and making other preparations for the attack on the heights of Cerro 
Gordo. These preparations are now finished, and orders were read to us 
this evening that we would storm Cerro Gordo to-morrow morning at 6 
o'clock. Most of my comrades are now making preparation for the final 
result. .Some are drawing and cooking their rations, others are, like 
mvself, writing letters to their parents, friends and sweethearts, stating 
the positions and dangerous duties assigned to them for to-morrow's 
work. I for my part have no fear in going into this battle. In fact, it 
gives me pleasure to be able to go into it, and makes me feel proud to 
serve in the United States Army during this time of troubles and dangers. 
And you and my friends can rest assured that no deeds or actions of 
mine will tarnish our fair name. 1 shall go into this battle with a firm 
heart and contented mind, and should it be my lot to fall, or death itself 
be my fate, I say " Let it go ! " with a will, and then my name and those 
of other gallant patriots will be recorded on the bright pages of history 
of the glorious war with Mexico. 

The orders which have been read to us this evening state that we 
should not only defeat the Mexican Army, but follow them up, and stop 
not until the spires of Jalapa City appear in sight. So you see by these 
orders that Gen. Scott is confident of our gallant little army being suc- 
cessful and victorious in this battle. Thus I need cast no fretting or 
lingering looks behind, but march onward and fight until the battle is 
fought and victory is won. 

I believe I have given you all the details that I know of. 

One word more, then I will be done. Read this letter to my parents 
and friends, and tell them that my health and strength have been 
remarkably good ever since I joined the army ; also, that there is another 
day of danger before us, and that the whole army is inspired with confi- 
dence of a grand and glorious victory. So good-bye. 

Your brother, J. J. O. 

Three Locks abo7'e Leii'i'stowii, Pa. 



CHAPTF.R III. 

RATTLE OF CERRO (lORDO \lCTORV COMI'LETE ROUTING OF 

THE ENEMY IN ALL DIRECTIONS CAPTURED FIVE THOU- 
SAND PRISONERS FORTY-THREE PIECES OF ARTILLERY 

OVER FIVE THOUSAND STAND OF ARMS, WITH NO END OF 
AMMUNITION AND PROVISIONS OVER SIXTY THOUSAND DOL- 
LARS IN SPF:CIE (iEN. SANTA ANNA's PRIVATE CARRIAGE, 

CORK LEGS AND SADDLE FOLLOWING THE FLMN(; ENEMY 

CAPTURED JALAPA CLIA , PEROTE CASTLE AND PUEBLA 

CITY ARRIVED AND CAMPED NFZAR JALAPA ARRIVAL OF 

(;EN. SCOTT AT PEROTE CASTLE PEROTE CASTLE A POLIT- 
ICAL PRISON P.ATTT,E OF LAS VEGAS. 

Sunday, April 18, .1847. — ihis morning all soldiers were 
up bright and early, and in fact it looked more like preparing 
to go on a Fourth of July spree than going into the field of 
battle. 

Some were still writing letters, while others were eating and 
drinking, and some whistling, and some boasting and talking 
loud of what they intended to do. 

About 6 o'clock, a. m., the drums began to beat their merry 
old tunes. Company after company marched into line to their 
respective places. 

Our Adjutant, Alexander Hiown, with a clear and distinct 
voice gave the words, " Attention ! Shoulder arms ! " After 
addressing the regiment, he saluted the Colonel, and informed 
him that the regiment was formed. Col. Francis M. Wyn- 
koop then drew his sword and stepped to the front, looking 
with his keen eyes from one end of the regiment to the other, 
gave the command, " By the left flank, left face, forward ! 
March!" (The left being in the front.) Then started for the 
field where bloody work is to be done. After marching about 
four miles uj) the National Roatl, we came to a halt at a cluster 
of deserted huts or ranches. 
(122) 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 123 

Here, by looking hack, w c had a fine view of our camp at 
Plan del Rio, and could plainly see some of our camp-fires 
still burning, also a splendid view of the snow-tops of Orazaba 
Mountain. Here we halted about one hour and a half, await- 
ing the arrival of (len. Robert Patterson. Penally Cien. Pat- 
terson came riding up in front of our regiment, and made tlie 
following remarks : — 

" (lood morning, men ! I am glad to see you all. You are 
now about to take your line of position, and to charge and 
storm the enemy's batteries and heights, and the honor of 
Pennsylvania, the good old Keystone State, is now in your 
hands, and 1 know, and can safely say, it could not be in 
better hands. 

" And, again, 1 am sure that \'ou all will do your duty, not 
only as Pennsylvanians. but as soldiers of the United States 
Army." At this our soldiers bursted forth with tremendous 
cheering. " Again, follow your commander, Col. P'rancis M. 
Wynkoop, who is willing, able and capable of leading you on 
in the midst of battle." 

Six cheers were then given for Maj.-Cxen. Robert Patterson, 
which made the hills of Cerro Gordo echo. He then put on 
his hat and said " Good-bye, my brave men. I expect to 
hear good news from you." 

Col. Wynkoop answered, "■ You shall, and should I, Gen. 
Patterson, be wanted, you will find me with you in the midst 
of the' battle." Cheers were then given which rent the air and 
made the hilLs all around echo. 

Gen. Patterson then rode off to the Tennessee regiments, and 
also made appropriate remarks suitable for the occasion, and 
to stir up their patriotism. 

Just as we were about to start for our position, four or five 
wounded soldiers, riflemen, belonging to Gen. Twiggs' division, 
accompanied by their comrades in arms, came walking slowK' 
down the new road, and as they passed us. remarked, " Oh, 
fellows ! Tlie Mexicans are on the hill strongl)- fortified, and 
are awaiting for you ; look out ! ' 



124 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Never shall I forijet the looks of these gallant men. Some 
had their arms shot off, others shattered by shot and bullets, 
hung powerless, while a stream of their precious blood 
poured from their severed arteries, flooding their sides. Never, 
never, shall I forget this horrid sight, and I assure you it was 
not very encouraging to those soldiers who were just going 
into the field of battle; but such is war. 

I understand these soldiers were wounded early last evening 
in storming a hill opposite Cerro Gordo. 

Orders now came from Gen. Winfield Scott that the heights 
of Cerro (iordo must be stormed all at once and taken without 
further delay. 

We moved and passed through the chaparral, moving with 
the left division in front. The First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, Col. Wynkoop commanding, in front, supported 
by the First Tennessee Volunteers, Col. W. B. Campbell 
commanding ; the Second Regiment Penn.sylvania Volunteers, 
Lieut. -Col. John W. Geary commanding ; supported by the 
Second Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, commanded by Col. 
W. T. Haskell. In this way we moved on with the utmost 
caution, climbing up the hill which is both steep and rough 
and rocky, covered in some places with miles of trees, shrub 
and chaparral, which bears clu.sters of thorns sharp as a 
needle. 

As already stated, we filed to the left, to assault the 
enemy's line of batteries and entrenchment to the right, in 
the rear of the National Road, with nothing to protect our 
men except the steepness of the hill and trees. 

After we had reached the position assigned to us, Gen. 
Pillow ordered our division to halt, with positive orders not to 
move or fire until further orders were given from either him 
or Gen. Patterson. 

From here is a fine view of the valley below, which was 
literally coveretl with wild flowers, and in some places, lilies 
were forcing their way up between rtjcks where one would 
think nothinp- could t^row. 



liC. NO'l'KS OF THE MKX[CAX WAR. 

Shortly afterward, a blunderinj^ mistake was made on the 
part of Col. Haskell ; before any firing was heard from Gen. 
Twiggs' division on our right. Col. Haskell orders a charge 
on the enemy's batteries, followed by the Tennessee regiment 
and one company (Capt. Charles Naylor), Second Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers. They charged up the hill with a yell, 
but before reaching the batteries were repulsed with con- 
siderable loss. Col. W. J. Haskell in the retreat lost his 
old hat, which caused a good deal of merriment among the 
soldiers. 

The Mexicans by this hhrndcr were aroused, and were not 
long in discovering our position. Their reveille was plainly 
heard summoning their soldiers to arms. They sent out 
skirmishing parties, and of course, they were not long before 
they discovered some of our soldiers ; after which, they re- 
turned, and the Mexicans soon opened a tremendous firing of 
heavy artillery with round shot, hurling a terrible storm of 
grape, canister and rockets through the trees, cutting the 
twigs and young limbs as a hail storm cuts the ripened 
grain. It caused for a short time, confusion and tumult. It 
was enough to tr}^ the staun chest nerves ; sometimes a volley 
of musketry would be fired, but being out of range, the bul- 
lets fell short, and of course did no harm. 

By this time, Brig.-Gen. Gideon John.ston Pillow, (I am 
giving you his title and name in full), was .seen going down 
the hill in our rear, and was no more seen or heard from until 
the engagement was all over. 

Here we were left standing in front of the enemy's thunder- 
ing artillery, with the rattling of grape, cani.ster, rockets and 
the bursting of shells, cutting the limbs of trees down over 
our heads, and almost rooting up the ground beneath our 
feet ; men shot down right and left, awaiting with patience 
for orders from our commanding generals to charge upon 
these breastworks, but none comes. 

The Mexicans could be heard yelling and shouting "Bravo ! 
Bravo ! De la Mexicano ! " No doubt supposing that the>- 



NO'I'KS OF THE MKATCAN WAR l-_>7 

had checked us from chari^iiii; on them ; hut wx- were 
anxiousl)- waitiut^' for orders from (ic'ii. Patterson to charj^e on 
the enemy. Durint:; this perilous .uul dangerous position, we 
could hear Gen. Twii^s^s" division on our riglit shoutinj^" .uid 
cheering, and the firing of heavy artillery and musketry, firing 
N'olley after volle\', and the sharp cracks of the rifles. 

Our regiment, and in fact, the w hole di\ision, began to get 
impatient antl excited in ncjt getting orders from our generals 
to charge. Col. W)'nkoop, a braver and more gallant officer 
never drew a sword, sent a messenger after Gens. Patterson 
and Pillow, to receive orders to charge on the batteries in our 
front, but the uKvssengers soon returned without finding either 
Patterson or Pillow. 

He again sent another, he returned with the .same result. 
He then sent another, who made inquir\- of the whereabouts 
of either Gens. Patterson or Pillow, but none could tell ; he 
retin"ned and re])orte(l the same to C"ol. VVynkoc^p. 

I'ortunately the Mexicans were either bad gunners or the\- 
could not depress their cannons enough to have effect on 
our men. Had they been good gunners, or depressed their 
pieces enough, there would have been few left to tell the tale 
of the battle of Cerro Gordo. 

Col. Wynkoop began to get tired waiting for orders. Was 
about to order a charge on the batteries, when some soldier 
hallooed out that a white flag was waving from the Mexican 
batteries, the batteries we were about to storm. We all 
thought it was a joke, that it could not be possible that they 
have surrendered up their strong batteries and entrenchments, 
but the ceasing of firing all around put some truth in the re- 
port, and finally an aide came to Col. Wynkoop, confirmed the 
report, and ordered Col. Wynkoop to countermarch his 
regiment to the National Road. There was much dissatisfaction 
among both the officers and soldiers for not getting orders to 
charge, left standing to receive a plunging fire in our front. 
All the fault of our Generals in failing to giv^e us orders, and 
failing to carry out the pledges they made to us pre- 
vious to starting for the battle-field. 



12S NOTKS OF THE Ml.XICAN WAR. 

The question now is asked, where was Gens. Patterson and 
Pillow during this heavy firing ? They were not where the)- 
jironiised to be, nor could the three messengers sent b)' Col. 
Wynkoop find them. So where was Gens. Patterson and 
Pillow?* Fxho answers, Where? 

On our way to the National Road I saw some horrible 
sights — the wounded dying, and some dead, but I learn that 
there was only one belonging to our regiment, D. K. Morrison, 
that was killed, but many wounded. Among them was John 
Sheldon, belonging to our company (C). Alburtus Welsh, 
myself, and others, made a bearer out of poles to carry 
him to the National Road. Here we put him carefully into a 
liospital wagon, where some were already in a dying state. 

Mr. Sheldon received a grape-shot wound through the 
ankle-bone. On his way down he complained pitifully of his 
wound, and fears that he will have to lose his foot or leg. 

After we had all arrived from the battle-field we formed into 
line along the National Road and waited until (ien. Twigg's 
division arrived from the field with the Mexican prisoners. 
Here we witnessed another sorrowful scene. The wounded 
brought down from Gen. Twigg's division — some with arms 
and legs off, others with part of their faces shot off. and other- 
wise badly mangled. While these poor unfortunate crippled 
soldiers were passing by I overheard some of our men making- 
remarks, " It was .sweet to die for our country's cause, and an 
honor to those who sacrificed their limbs and ga\'e their blood 
in defending our glorious country's flag, and that it is an honor 
to them and friends to rejoice in their sacrifices." I admit 
there is honor in the way these gallant young men have lost 
their limbs, their bodies disfigured and their blood spilt ; and 
our country should well reward them for their sacrifices and 
suffering, but I don't think that there can be much rejoicing of 
anyone in losing their limbs, or having their bodies disfigured, 
like 1 saw some to-day. 

I, if (iotl's will, prefer my body and limbs as God made 
them, and do v\'ithout the honor and rejoicing of lost limbs 



NOTES OF THE MEXICWN WAR. 129 

and blood. When Gen. Twii^i^.s, ^\ ith the head of liis division, 
arrived, was heartily cheered by our regiment. The\' brought 
with them, as already stated, the 3,000 (some have it 5,000) 
Mexican prisoners, and some officers high in rank. Amongst 
them was Gen. La Vega, \\ ho commanded the division and 
batteries that we were to charge upon. They reported that 
(len. Vasquez.ea, a gallant Mexican officer, was killed behind 
his battery, and that our gallant old friend. Gen. Santa Anna, 
and Gens. Camaliza and Almonta, with about 10,000 troops, 
had retreated and fled in all directions just before Gen. Twiggs 
stormed the telegraph hill. (ien. Twiggs' division also cap- 
tured Gen. Santa Anna's field carriage, containing drawers 
under the seats, filled with papers, plans and maps and his 
field service, a splendid mounted saddle and several wooden or 
cork legs, and, the best of all, over $60,000 in specie, portion 
of which Gen. Santa Anna made a levy and had assessed on 
the citizens of Jalapa on his way to Cerro Gordo ; and to the 
carriage w^as harnessed three splendid black mules. The 
fourth mule and Gen. Santa Anna were so hotly pursued by Col. 
Harney's dragoons that he (Gen. Santa Anna) was compelled 
to cut him loose and make his escape from the field by taking 
what they call a blind road. The capturing of the specie 
caused much rejoicing amongst our victorious soldiers, and the 
prospect of soon getting paid off by the captured cash. 

The prisoners were marched down to our Camp Plan del 
Rio, there formed into line, stacked their muskets and cart- 
ridge boxes, after which they were dismissed on parole of 
honor, and not to take up arms again, unless exchanged, as 
long as the two nations are at war with each other. After 
the defeat of the Mexicans, Gen. Scott sent Col. William S. 
Harney in hot pursuit of Gen. Santa Anna and his scattered 
and flying army, but I doubt whether Col. Harney will over- 
take Gen. Santa Anna, as I have been informed that he had 
over a half-hour start on him, and he, of course, being well 
acquainted with the country and all the by-roads, has all the 
chances of not getting caught even on a mule. Col. Harney 
has orders not to stop until the spires of Jalapa City ai:)pear 
in sight. 



130 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

I also Icani that Col. Ilarncy is followed with sonic infantry 
and artillery under the command of Gen. Robert Patterson. 
This is the first \\'c heard of him since he left us on the 
National Road, making' his patriotic war .si)eeches. I'ollowinj^ 
a confused and refreating army is better than to be in the 
midst of battle and promising the men to lead them into the 
conflict. 

I learn the result of our grand victory to-day was the 
capturing of forty-three heavy and light bronze artillery, and 
over six thousand stand of arms, and any quantity of ammuni- 
tion and provisions. Some of the musket boxes have never 
been opened. These muskets, as well as most of the heavy 
artillery, are ordered to be destroyed as we have not the means 
and force enough to take them with us. 

This evening it is reported that Brig.-Gen. James Shields 
was shot through the lungs while carrying an order to Gen. 
Scott. It is feared he will not get over it. He is a brave, 
gallant and very kind officer; is well liked and admired by all 
his men. 

A little before dark Gen. Santa Anna's carriage (which I 
was informed was ca[)tured by Capt. Justus McKinstry of 
Scott's staff, and the Second United States Infantry) was 
hauled up in front of Gen. Scott's headquarters to be unloaded 
of the specie, it bein^ in little bags marked jSioo. The 
soldiers were stanaing around the carriage (which is after the 
model of Napoleon's field carnage) anxiously awaiting for an 
opportunity to steal a bag of specie. While one of the men 
(detailed) was carrying in a bag on his shoulder a man sneak- 
ingly slips up behind him with an open knife and gives it a 
rip, and, of course, away went the specie on the ground. 
Then you should have seen the scrambling and rushing. It 
was really laughable to see the scene. The largest, strongest 
and the roughest men were the most fortunate in getting some 
of Gen. Santa Anna's specie. 

The noise and wrangling brought Adjt.-Gen. H. L. Scott to 
the door. Seeing the disorder, and soldiers charging on the 



132 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

wrong battery, ortlcrcil the L;uartl to chari^c upon, the men and 
drive them from the carriat;e. This naturally caused a 
murmur, much orowlint^r and loud talk. When presently Gen. 
Scott himself came to the door, and inquired what was the 
matter ? Some ;msweretl the cause ; he laughed, saying, 
"Well, let the boys have what is on the ground ; for they 
fought and worked hard all day, and they deserve all they can 
get." This caused laughter, and a cheer for (k-n. Scott, but 
from this time there was no more specie bags cut open. Some 
of our men got from twenty to thirty dollars, while others got 
nothing but sore hands, shins, and other bruises. 

In our engagement to-day some of our men made some very 
narrow escapes. Some had the butt of their muskets shot off, 
out of their hands. Myself had the top of my bayonet shot 
off, while others had their canteens carried from their sides, 
one had his cartridge box carried clean from the belt, while 
Sergt. Joseph Faust, of our company, had his sword scabbard 
slipt from his side. 

On our way down from the battle-field it was reported that 
our Brig.-Gen. Pillow was wounded, but I put no faith in that 
report ; knowing that he left us when the firing first opened, 
and, like some others, could not be seen or found anywhere 
near us. But I hear now that the report is true that the Gen- 
eral was wounded with a musket bullet. The bullet fell short of 
us where we were standing. Gen. Pillow when the fire first 
began was in our rear, in fact so far that Col. Wynkoop's 
orderly could not find him. Now, I ask where was Gen. 
Pillow, and where did he run to when the fire first opened from 
the enemy's batteries ? Pxho answers, Where ? 

After ccna (supper) several of us went over to the Ten- 
nesseeans' camp. They were just burying their dead com- 
rades, namely : — Second Tennesseeans, Lieuts., F. B. Allen, 
C. G. Gill and B. F. Nelson; Scrgts., H. L. Byrnirn, 
F. Willis and W. F. Brown ; Corporals, W. O. Shebling and 
PVanklin P^lkin ; Privates, Samuel Floyd, W. P^ngland, G. W^ 
Keeny and C. A. Sampson. R. L. Bohanan, J. N. Gunter, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 183 

T. Griflin, R. Keirman, K. Price, M. M. Durham, A. Hatton and 
S. W. Landerdal of the Vwst Tennesseeans. Tliese men were 
unfortunately killed in the blundering chari^e on the 
batteries at Cerro Gordo. Those who have escaped that 
dreadful carnage are cursing and condemning every bone in 
Brig.-Cien. Pillow's body, and some even boast and seemed to 
know how Gen. Pillow was wounded, and that it was a pit}' 
that the ball didn't kill him for his cowardly and inhuman act 
on our poor and much exhusted soldiers on our march from 
Vera Cruz to Plan del Rio. The Tennesseeans don't seem to 
think much of Gen. Robert Patterson. They think, like a good 
many others, that he is braver before going into the battle 
than in the midst of the battle. That he made the same \\ar 
speech to them as he did to us Pennisylvanians before the 
battle began. They, like ourselves, have not seen him since 
he left us on the National Road. 

To-night everything seems 1o be very quiet. Silence 
reigned throughout the whole camp, broken only by the step 
of the sentinel. The soldiers, as well as the officers, are all 
tired, and will soundly sleep over the glorious victory of the 
battle of Cerro Gordo, April i8, 1847. Thus on Cerro (iordo 
Heights, a short, but fierce, day's work was done. And thus 
our brave old Gen. Scott another battle won, and our glorious 
banner still triumphantly waves over everlasting glory unto 
Cerro GordcVs dead. 

Since the above has been written a great deal has been said, 
as well as written, about Gen. Robert Patterson's action and 
cowardice at the battle of Cerro Gordo. The author of this 
book has no animosity, or is no partisan of Gen. Patterson, 
nor do I wish to harm a hair on his veteran gre\' head, now in 
his eighty-second year, and all 1 have to say is that I have 
nothing to add to or detract from the above. They 
were taken down on the spot. But 1 will say this for 
the General, and I will say it boklly without fear or favor from 
either side, that there is not a better man living to-day to take 
charge or command a set of men than Gen. Jvobert ]*atterson. 



134 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

He not only <joes to the Quartermaster and makes inquiry 
whether such or such regiment or division, or whatever they 
may be, have received or ch'awn their rations, but goes himself 
to their camps and makes inquiry among the soldiers them- 
selves whether they have been properly provided for, and if 
not he would immediately send for his Quartermasters, repri- 
manding and telling them that they must get rations for 
his soldiers, let it come from where it may and cost what it 
will. The soldiers must and shall be fed. Also examine their 
quarters, and see for himself whether they are comfortable and 
clean. And paid particular attention to the sick and wounded 
soldiers, to see that they were well and properly provided with 
comfortable quarters, and supplied with skilful doctors, and 
with a medicine chest. 

]-)Ut in time of an engagement with the enemy he either is 
afraid of taking his command into battle, for fear of getting 
some of his men killed, or his ambition for fame and courage 
fails him. 

These arc my own humble, private opinions of Gen. Patter- 
son.* The notes taken are the whole truth and nothing but 
the truth. And I call upon all my readers to read it thought- 
fully, and weigh it carefully ; after which they can judge for 
themselves whether my notes are true or not. 

Again it is officially reported that the Volunteer Brigade, 
commanded by Gen. Pillow, was repulsed at the battle of Cerro 
Gordo. I deny this report most emphatically, first there were 
no orders given for a charge upon the enemy's battery. 
Therefore, there could not have been a repulse. I now appeal 
(and I will prove it by statements from other sources), and 
call upon all the soldiers who served in that gallant volunteer 
division and brigade whether I am not correct in my statement, 
when I say that we were not repulsed. The only charge that 
was made upon the enemy's batteries (and it was done in a big 
and blundering mistake) was by Col. Haskell, of the Second 

* Since died, August 9, 1881, aged 90. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 135 

Tennesseean, and Capt. Charles Naylor, of the Second Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers. They charged upon the enemy's works 
without receiving any orders, either from Gens. Patterson or 
Pillow. Charged upon the batteries with about two hundred 
men with a yell, and no doubt, in full confidence in capturing 
these batteries, guarded and protected by over three thou- 
sand Mexicans, well drilled, equipped and disciplined. Charged 
on through chaparrals until they came to an open field, and 
within about seventy yards of the enemy's batteries, when a 
crashing fire of cannons, pouring grape, canister and musketry 
upon our men, killing eighteen or twenty of Col. Haskell's 
men, besides twice that many wounded. Hearing no signal or 
bugle charge. Col. Haskell was compelled to fall back to his 
old position. These were the only parties of volunteers that 
charged, and were defeated with the above losses. It was Col. 
Haskell's own fault ; he having charged upon the enemy's 
batteries without orders, either from Gens. Patterson or Pillow, 
and Col. Haskell should be court-martialed for disobeying 
orders. He is responsible for the loss of the gallant young 
men who fell in front of the battery. 

The following is a statement by an eye-witness, published in 
the American Star, at Jalapa, Mexico, April 29, 1847. 

Mr. Peoples: — In your published accovint of the late battle of Cerro 
Gordo, you have inadvertently fallen into an error, which, as it conveys 
a false impression, I desire to correct. Gen. Pillow's brigade consisted 
of four regiments ; the First and Second Tennessee, and the First and 
Second Pennsylvania. The plan of attack was that the Second Ten- 
nessee, under Col. Haskell, and First Pennsylvania, under Col. 
Wynkoop, should form the storming force; to be supported by the other 
two regiments. Second Pennsylvania and First Tennessee. The First 
Pennsylvania moved in advance towards the point of attack. They 
were halted by Gen. Pillow (in person) about a half a mile from their 
position, and Col. Wynkoop was ordered to make a detour through the 
chaparrals, in order to reach the ground without observation. At that 
time Col. Haskell was almost in position, and, although, our regiment, 
the First Pennsylvania, was hurried on at a trot, they did not and 
could not attain their position until after the fire opened on Col. 
Haskell. Col. Wynkoop, before leading off his regiment, desired to 



136 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

know from Gen. Pillow when he should make the charge, and was 
ordered distinctly to take his ground and remain there until he received 
the signal, or an order from Gen. Pillow through an officer. The signal 
was to be a single bugle note. He took the position designated. Our 
right extending into the low brushwood, skirting the chaparrals, was not 
distant from the enemy's batteries more than seventy-five yards, when a 
crashing fire of musketry, canister and grape was opened upon us 
whilst filing into place; and the only reason by which I explain the fact 
that our loss was only twelve men wounded, and of these but two 
mortal, was the elevation of the enemy's cannons, the grape almost 
entirely passed over our heads. The men had received orders not to fire, 
and not a trigger was pulled. In this position we remained two hours ; 
our men glaring upon the faces of the enemy, and not permitted to 
move. We received neither the signal nor the orders to charge, and 
were compelled to stand there like stones, cursing and impatient. 
I know that Col. Wynkoop sent several officers to ask whether he might 
not chai'ge, and every man in the regiment knows that all the officers, 
from the Colonel down, were chafing at the delay. The first intimation 
we received was an order to retire, and when we reached the ranch at 
the main road we there learned, for the first time, that Col. Haskell had 
charged and been repulsed. Our regiment obeyed orders to the letter. 
The Generals will, 1 am sure, testify to that f;\ct. It was the last to leave 
its position, remained firm under the fire, and did not (as some might 
suppose from the statement in your paper) retreat ; perhaps had we 
charged we might also have been repulsed, but, as that privilege was 
denied us, we think it unjust to imagine for us such an event. 

BV AN OFFICER WHO WAS Til ERR. 

A1.SO a statement from the Second Tennesseeans stating tliat 
they thought that the word of charge was given wlien 
Col. Haskell's command dashed witli loud cheers into the 
space in front of the entrenchments, but, unfortunately, the 
entire siuTace of the ground for three hundred yards being 
covered with chaparral, wliich was suffered to remain where it 
was cut down, formed an insurmountable obstacle to a rapid 
advance. By this time six or seven guns, with eighteen 
lumdred muskets, opened on them with grape and canister, 
when they had to retreat. 

Monday, April 19, 1S47.— This morning there was a 
detail of ten men from each company of oiu' regiment, to 
take down the cannons from tiie heights of Cerro Gordo; the 



NOTES OF THE MI':XICAN WAR. 137 

same battery Gen. Twiggs planted on tlie night of the 17th 
inst. It, of course, was my lot to be one of the detailed. Wc 
started, and after arriving at Gen. Twiggs' field of operation, 
we were struck with astonishment how our men ever got 
this heavy artillery up this steep hill, in foct so steep that wc 
were several times obliged to take hold of the branches of 
trees and bushes to pull ourselves up. 

After arriving on the battle-field, we had the pleasure of 
witnessing an unsightly scene. The Mexican wounded were 
strewn all over the field ; some with their arms and legs off, 
some shot almost in two and still gasping, some with their 
entrails hanging out, screaming with pain and agony, begging 
for a gota dc aquas (a drop of water) ; we gave them water 
out of our canteens, and eased them of their misery all we 
could. Some of the dead had their heads shot off and whole 
sides ripped open, and others were mutilated in the most 
ghastly manner. It would puzzle the best artist in the world 
to paint the picture in its true light, or as we saw it. We saw 
the paroled Mexicans hunting up their dead and wounded com- 
rades ; to some of the dead they gave a decent burial, and the 
wounded they took proper care of; others of the dead 
they gathered in heaps and burned. The wounded were 
taken up and put in the ambulance wagon and taken to the 
hospital. In one place we saw no less than fifteen dead 
Mexicans laying all in one pile. Thus it is plainly to be seen 
that the twenty-four pounder played havoc among the enemy. 

We also saw the body of the gallant Mexican Gen. Vas- 
quazes. He was shot through the head. He was lying 
exposed to the hot sun, and was bloated up in an awful 
state ; and, I regret to state, that some of our moral soldiers, 
who, after the battle of yesterday were sent out to bring in 
our dead and wounded soldiers, not only rifled his pockets, 
but took off his boots and all his mountings. In fact nearl}' 
all the dead Mexicans had their pockets turned inside out, to 
see whether they had anything in them. This thieving opera- 
tion on the dead seems to be the custom amonsj- all victorious 



138 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

parties. It's singular that all the dead Mexicans are bloated 
up and turn black as soon as they are dead, this is on account 
of the Mexicans eating so much pepper. 

After a couple of hours of hard work, we succeeded in get- 
ting the artillery down to the Second battery where we left it. 
The day being extremely hot and sultry, and having given 
our water and something to the wounded Mexicans, we of 
course were much exhausted from thirst, wanting something 
to eat and rest. 

On our way back to camp, we visited the Mexican batteries 
that the Volunteer division, under the command of Gens. 
Patterson and Pillow, were to charge upon yesterday, we 
found them well constructed and mounted batteries ; they 
commanded the whole sway of the surrounding hill, and no 
doubt had the Volunteer divisions charged upon these bat- 
teries there would not have been so many left to tell the tale 
of the battle of Cerro Gordo. These batteries were guarded 
and commanded by one of the best, bravest and most skilful 
officers in the Mexican army. Gen. La Vega. 

There was also well constructed batteries in the rear of the 
front battery, called the reserve battery ; that is, after the 
first one is captured or abandoned, they could fall back to the 
rear one. After examining both of these batteries, we all 
came to the conclusion that they were well planned. After we 
had seen and done all that could be done, we returned to 
camp, where we were informed that our actual strength, or 
number of soldiers engaged in the battle of Cerro Gordo, was 
about 8,500 men ; and our loss in the two days' fight is 34 
officers and 400 men, in all, 434 killed and wounded. There 
being 65 killed out-right in accomplishing this second grand 
victory of our army in Mexico. 

The Mexican loss was about 300 killed and about 200 
wounded. Thus counting the number of forces against us, 
the obstacles of art and nature that opposed our forces all 
over, the American army with skill and valor triumphed over 
a confident enemy with superior numbers and extraordinary 



NOTI'.S OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 139 

difficulties, in which action was an assault on a carefully forti- 
fied position, and which, contrary to the expectation of the 
confident enemy, was a complete and decisive victory. 

In the evening, most of our sick and wounded were sent 
with a train back to Vera Cruz, there to be discharged and 
sent to their homes. 

On dress parade, orders were read to us, stating that we 
would march to-morrow toward Jalapa City. 

To-night most all our men took a good washing in the 
Plan del Rio, after which we laid down to take a sleep. 

Tuesday, April 20, 1847. — This morning the advance 
started about 4 o'clock, and when they got to where we left 
the artillery stand, they stopped to drag them out on the Na- 
tional Road, and there left them for the horses to be attached 
to, and to be taken with our division. 

Our division left camp at 5 o'clock, A. m., leaving the bal- 
ance — sick and wounded soldiers — in the charge of the Sec- 
ond Tennessee Regiment, much to their entire dissatisfaction. 
They, of course, wanted to march with the main army, and 
not to be left behind. 

We are now marching a little further into Gen. Santa 
Anna's country, and when we passed the regular Mexican 
camp, we saw enough cannons, ammunition, provisions, clothing 
and other material of war, to equip our whole army ; yet Old 
Santa Anna is always complaining to his government of being 
scant in clothing, provisions, etc. 

All along the National Road, as far as we went, was strewed 
with dead Mexicans and horses. They, refusing to surrender, 
were cut down by Col. Wm. S. Harney's dragoons while in 
hot pursuit of Gen. Santa Anna and his flying cavalry on the 
1 8th instant. 

Our march to-day being a short one, only fourteen miles, 
we arrived in camp sooner than usual. This encampment is 
called El Encero, the summer hacienda of Gen. Santa Anna, 
but I am afraid he will not have the opportunity of spending 
his summer here this season, or as long as these infernal 



140 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Yankees keep following him up. It is a splendid place ; ex- 
cellent water, and plenty of good beef. The sceneries and 
views around here arc beautiful. 

Wediiesday, April 21, 1847. — This morning we left El 
hjicero for Jalapa City. I see the further we march into the 
interior the more beautiful the country gets ; in fact, we 
passed some of the finest plantations or farms that I have 
ever seen. Their dwellings, or haciendas, are mostly two- 
story high, with court yards and fountains in the centre, and 
surrounded with many varieties of views, such as orange- 
groves and other fruit trees. 

Before we entered Jalapa the air was filled with sweet fra- 
grance of orange trees, making the entry of Jalapa more like 
the Garden of I^^den — according to scriptures — than anything 
I can compare it with. 

We arrived at the outskirts of the city about 1 1 o'clock, 
A. M., halting for a short time while our officers, or Quarter- 
rtiaster, went to the city to find out our quartering place. 
They soon returned, and we then marched through the city of 
Jalapa, and passing out to the northern end of the city, we 
went into camp on the open field without any tents. It is 
about three miles from Jalapa, along the National Road. This 
National Road runs from Vera Cruz to the capital of Mexico, 
and nearly all its bridges were constructed by Don Jose 
Iturrigaray, Lieutenant-General of the Spanish army, in 1H03 
and 1804. It passed through many historical and romantic 
scenes, tales in song or story, in weal or woe, as indeed the 
history of the entire route in works have often been written. 
Gen. Iturrigaray, after the completion of his work, was im- 
prisoned and heavily fined for forgery and other treasonable 
acts, and died a miserable wretch. 

The historic mountain, Orazaba, or Citlatepetle, which 
means the Mountain of the Star, is, or looks, close by. It is 
17,907 feet high, ninety-eight feet higher than Popocatepetl. 

In passing through Jala[)a to-day, I was astonished to see 
liow neat and clean everything looked, in and around the city. 



142 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

not only the streets and houses, but the citizens, themselves, 
looked to me quite different from those we have seen at Vera 
Cruz and on our way here. 

The population of Jalapa is about eight or nine thousand. 
Our quarters are as comfortable as we can expect without our 
tents. Most of our men can be seen making and putting up 
shanties. Here we have plenty of good water, ano the prom- 
ise from our Quartermaster of beef every day. 

In passing through Jalapa, some of our men hid themselves 
in the city, and returned to camp this evening, telling high 
yarns and jokes they had with the soioritas. 

To-day is the three hundred and twenty-eighth anniversary 
of the landing of Conqueror Cortez's forces in Mexico. He 
landed near where Vera Cruz now stands, and a more miser- 
able and poorer spot is not to be found in all Mexico ; it being 
Good Friday, April 21, 15 19. The second conquerors of Mex- 
ico are now on their way to the city of Mexico. 

T/iursdav, April 22, 1 847. — This morning is kind of cold, rain- 
ing and drizzly, which had the effect of some of our men trying 
to make their way to the city, and hunt better quarters. Hav- 
ing no tents we are exposed to all kinds of weather. A strong 
guard was ordered to be placed around our camp to keep the 
soldiers from going out. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., ten men were taken in alphabetical 
style, accompanied by a non-commissioned officer, with the 
privilege to go to the city of Jalapa with strict instructions to 
take nothing except what was paid for. 

At noon orders were issued for every soldier to brighten 
his belt and musket, and clean his clothing ; but the men say, 
What is the use of cleaning our clothing as long as we are 
compelled to lay out in the rain and mud. " We want our tents, 
oh, Israel ! " 

The peak of Orazaba, the snow-capped mountain, an emi- 
nence above Jalapa, looks as though one was within a stone's 
throw of it, when it is reckoned to be about forty miles from 
this place. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 143 

This evening the weather is getting extremely cold, which 
makes everything uncomfortable for the soldiers, who have to 
sleep out in the open air all night. 

Friday, April 23, 1847. — This morning the reveille beat at 
6 o'clock, when the soldiers jumped and sprang on their feet 
and formed in company line to answer the roll-call. After 
breakfast we had company drills, marching around, and 
musket exercises. 

In the afternoon we had dress-parade, when every soldier 
is expected to look the best and behave the best. 

To-day there were only two soldiers from each company al- 
lowed to go to the city on account of the parade. 

This afternoon Gen. Quitman's brigade arrived in camp. It 
consisted of the two Tennessee regiments, Georgia regiment, 
South Carolina regiment, and about two hundred and fifty 
mounted Tennessee riflemen, commanded by Col. J. E. 
Thomas ; also three companies belonging to the Second 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, who were, you remember, 
left back at the island of Lobos with the small-pox, they hav- 
ing fully recovered, except some bear marks of that disease. 
There was much rejoicing and hand-shaking going on among 
the rest of the regiments here. 

This evening my friend and mess-mate, Mr. Simon Schaffer, 
who has been lingering in delicate health for some time, was 
taken to the city, andthereput in the hospital, from which insti- 
tution I fear he will never come out alive. He seems to be in 
very low spirits. I bid him good-bye for the present, promis- 
ing him that I would call to see him soon. 

Late this evening I learned that Col. W. B. Roberts, of the 
Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, is very ill, and if 
we don't soon get our tents or better quarters, one-half our 
division will be laid up sick. 

Saturday, April 24, 1847. — This morning, for the first, we 
received news from Gen. Worth's division, which is now in 
our advance. It was brought down last evening from Pcrote 
by the Mexican stage. It states that the town and Castle of 



144 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Perote were taken without any opposition. The enemy's 
force had abantlonetl it before Gen. Worth's division arrived. 
Gen. Worth is now in full possession of the town and castle, 
with its arnianient in good order. Col. Velasquez, the t;eneral 
superintendent, had been left behind to surrender all thinL,^s in 
the name of the Mexican government — fifty cannons, five 
howitzers, three mortars, four stone mortars, together with a 
large number of round-shot, shells and small arms. 

Gens. Morales and Landaro, who had been imprisoned by 
Gen. Santa Anna for surrendering and capitulating Vera 
Cruz, were released on the appearance of our troops. The 
two South Carolina volunteers and an American sailor, taken 
near Vera Cruz, were prisoners in the castle, and, of course, 
were released by our troops. They were almost starved to 
death. Midshipman Robert C Rogers, of the United States 
brig .Somers, was not found in the castle. Reports have it 
that the Mexicans removed him from Perote to Puebla the 
same day that the battle commenced at Cerro Gordo. Also, 
a rumor from the city of Mexico, saying that Gen. Santa 
Anna, with five other generals are putting the capital in a 
state of defence, building strong fortifications around the city 
and passes on the road. 

Rain, rain, nothing but rain, making everything feel dis- 
agreeable. When will we have sunshine? Yet, for all this, 
the men feel jubilant [gorjoso) at the capture of the famous 
Castle of Perote, where, for many years, many of our 'best 
citizens and soldiers have been imprisoned, and now has the 
honor of holding to the breeze the American flag. We all 
feel placciitcro (jolly). 

Sunday^ April 25, 1847. — This morning, or in fact all last 
night, was very cold and rainy, and those who had no shelter 
got soaking wet, and could be seen hugging up around the 
camp fires drying their blankets and clothing, and talking 
about the hard weather, exposure, suffering, &c. 

At noon John Newman, Louis Bymaster and myself carried 
shingles and boards from a deserted ranch, and built ourselves 
a small shanty. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 145 

To-day. Sunday, is the best day for marketing in Mexico, 
the market people are mostly all old women. We had a good 
little market outside of our encampment, and everything was 
reasonable, considering the number of people that was in it. 
Also a good little reading paper made its appearance in our 
camp, it is published in Jalapa, and is called the American Star, 
by the same enterprising citizens that published the American 
Eagle at Vera Cruz. So you can see that those enterprising 
Yankees, Messrs. Jewell, Peoples and Branard, are determined 
to follow up the army, and publish the news, as we go along, 
in English. It gives Gen. Scott's report of the battle of Cerro 
Gordo, and a list of the killed and wounded. Speaking in 
the highest terms of the heroic conduct of the soldiers at the 
battle of Cerro Gordo. Also states that Col. Thomas Childs, 
of the Third Artillery, who at the battle of Cerro Gordo drove 
the enemy, after a severe conflict, from their position, is ap- 
pointed Military Governor of Jalapa. In the hands of Col. 
Childs the interests of the citizens of Jalapa, as well as that 
of the United States, will be looked to, and justice impartially 
administered. 

To-night we have a roof over our heads. 

Momiay, April 26, 1847. — This morning after drill a squad 
of us got permission to visit Jalapa. We passed the Second 
Pennsylvania V^olunteers' headquarters, where we saw Col. 
W. B. Roberts at his post. So he could not have been so 
sick as reported. In fact he looks more like being dis- 
heartened than sick. We weren't long when we arrived in 
the city, and we were much pleased and delighted to meet 
with such a clever and intelligent class of people. We 
really did not think that there were such people in Mexico, 
judging from those we have seen before. There does not 
seem to be much business done here, but what is done is 
carried on in a fair Yankee style, and whilst passing through 
the principal business streets we imagine ourselves in some 
thriving Yankee town. The seuoritas are what may be called 
here beautiful. Their features can't be beat for pleasantness. 
10 



146 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

They are decidedly pretty, and there's not a man who will say 
aught to the contrary; also in their habits, we mean, of 
course, the upper te?i; their skin is, of course, darker than our 
fair damsels, but their pleasing features and pleasant counte- 
nances puts that all out of our minds. They approximate 
nearer to American refinement. It may well be said 
Jalapa (which derives its name from a plant which grows 
numerously and beautifully in this section of the country) is 
noted for the beauty of its females, nothing can be said of 
them but what is to their advantage. 

The poorer class keep themselves cleaner than those whom 
we have seen at Vera Cruz, or on our way here. Their 
young mucliadws (boys) are equal to our poor in the United 
States, but they generally are not so well dressed, and don't 
seem to have much to do ; there being no manufactories 
here. The American Star says Jalapa is the prettiest town, 
it has the handsomest buildings, loveliest gardens and most 
delicious fruits of all others taken together ; in fact it seems that 
it is peopled with a race distinctfrom those we have encountered 
elsewhere. Taking Jalapa all in all, we were highly pleased 
with what we have seenj and its people, and cannot conceive 
that there is any difference of opinion on that subject among 
the American soldiers. I also stopped at the hospital to see 
Mr. Simon Schaffer. He was much pleased at seeing me. He 
looks, and says that he feels bad, and has no hopes of ever 
recovering. I stayed and talked with him for nearly one 
hour ; telling him to keep up his courage, and all would be 
well. He was much affected, and tears were rolling down his 
thin cheeks, when I bid him good-bye. 

In the evening we started for our camp. 

Tuesday, April 27, 1847. — This morning, after a cold night's 
rest, our soldiers were busy in tearing down deserted ranches, 
and building themselves shanties to sleep under. Some could 
be seen bringing in shingles, others poles and boards ; some 
were digging holes to plant the posts ; some with saws, ham- 
mers and hatchets. All for to keep out of the cold rain and 
damp night air, which is very unhealthy at this time. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 147 

In the afternoon a large train from Vera Cruz arrived in 
our camp, bringing a large mail for our army, but, as usual, 
none for Jake. This train is loaded with provisions and 
ammunition for our division ; it also brings the wounded 
soldiers who were left at Plan del Rio after the battle of Cerro 
Gordo, and it gives me pleasure to say that all of our gallant 
soldiers are doing as well as could be expected. They report 
that a good many of our wounded died at Plan del Rio. The 
boys who got letters from home speak in the highest terms of 
our army in capturing Vera Cruz. What will they say or 
write when they hear of the great victory over Gen. Santa 
Anna, at the battle of Cerro Gordo. 

Wednesday, April 28, 1847. — This morning I don't see 
much of any importance going on, except that several New 
Yorkers were put in the guard-house for robbing a ranch and 
breaking and destroying all the things in it, also for disorderly 
and un-soldier-like conduct in camp. In fact, nearly all the 
New Yorkers have acted very badly and disorderly for some 
time. Fighting among themselves is a common occurrence ; 
they think nothing of forming a ring and trying one another's 
muscles, and beating one another like so many brutes. 

At noon, a report came that two American soldiers were 
killed a day or two ago, near Puento Nacional, the unfor- 
tunate men were unarmed, and the ruffians pounced upon 
them without fear. Americans on the road in Mexico have 
no business traveling without arms. 

Thursday, April 29, 1847. — This morning several parties 
started ov\\.-3S.\.qx pollitos, came, etc., and on the way, they fell in 
with a party of rancheros or guerillas, who are lurking around 
the country for the purpose of kidnapping our men who 
venture beyond the camp. The result was, that our men had 
a fight with the guerillas and several of our men were killed; 
after which, they returned to camp, and reported the above 
facts, which caused a good deal of excitement in their re- 
spective companies and regiments. 



148 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

In the afternoon we were visited by an awful thunder storm, 
and never did I see it hghtning sharper ; it blew a perfect 
gale. It blew down some of the ranches, and nearly unroofed 
all the houses, blowing the boards and shingles high in the 
air, and for miles around. We, our mess, had to hold on to 
our shanty to keep it from blowing down. It stood it nobly 
against the howling storm, not budging an inch. We have 
had pelting rain and storm almost every day since our encamp- 
ment ; in fact, such soaking ones too, that I declare we almost 
forget how it looks when it is fair. No other news except 
that we are beginning to get tired of this camp, which is now 
styled, and somebody had a hand-board out " Camp Misery." 

To-night the wind blows from the snow-top covered mountain 
Orazaba. It blows about our faces and ears as keen as a 
whistle, and you can hear some of the fellows cry out, " shut 
the door!" "Confound this wind, it's blowing in a fellow's 
face." " Shut up, there's no use quarrelling about the wind 
or the weather." Laughter, etc. 

Friday, April lo, 1 847. — This morning it commenced rain- 
ing again, and continued all day, making it very disagreeable 
for our soldiers, and particularly for those whose shanties 
blew down in yesterday afternoon's storm. In fact, some of 
our men are almost drowned out, and more particularly those 
who were in caves, thej^ being dug down about a foot below 
the surface of the earth. Some were so sound asleep that 
they could hardly be wakened up, the water almost running 
into their mouths. Our shanty being high and level the water 
does us no harm. Our men are now clamoring and await- 
ing for our Quartermaster to bring our tents from Vera Cruz. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., a company of the Fourth Illinois Reg- 
iment (Col. E. D. Baker's) started out after beef, also to hunt 
up the guerillas, who killed several of their men yesterday. 
They started off with a cheer, and promised to bring in no 
prisoners. So, look out guerillas ! 

At noon several companies of the Ten-Regiment Bill (so 
called) came into camp. There are some Pennsylvanians 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR 149 

among this bill, but I don't think that they are with this lot 
of to-day's arrival. 

In the evening the Illinois company that went out after 
came and the guerillas, returned without bringing in any dead 
guerillas, but brought with them two dead soldiers that were 
killed yesterday. They were buried, wrapped up in their 
blankets, v.ith all the honors of war, on a small hill opposite 
our camp. 

To-night there is a rumor in our camp that the Mexican 
_ Congress, after the defeat of Gen. Santa Anna at the battle of 
Cerro Gordo, passed a series of resolutions, threatening 
vengeance and war to the knife, and to the last extremity. 
" War without pity and death " will be the motto of our 
brave Mexican soldiers, determined to die before yielding an 
inch of Mexican soil to the Yankee invaders. 

We have heard of this kind of bragging and boasting of 
what they intended to do before, and, as a fellow said, we are 
beginning to get used to their boasting. 

We are all anxious to meet Gen. Santa Anna's army in 
their threatening and determination to push the war on. We 
are also anxiously awaiting for the word of command to go 
forward and meet the Mexicans wherever and whenever it 
suits them to give us battle. The sooner we get orders to 
march toward their much boasted and admired capital of 
Mexico, the better we will be satisfied, for our men would 
sooner fight the enemy than be lying here in this camp of 
misery. 

To-night is chilly, and rain beating down on our shanties. 

Saturday, May i, 1847. — This morning we were mustered 
into the United States service for the third time, and, of course, 
it was naturally supposed that we would all get paid off, as 
we have not yet received one cieiito (cent) since we are in the 
United States army. 

After our muster we were dismissed, and I am sorry to say 
that not a word was said about pay, so we were all sadly 
disappointed. 



150 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

At noon about one hundred soldiers, belonging to Col. 
Farris Forman's Third Illinois Regiment, and several of the 
First New York Regiment started out on a beef hunt. 

I see by the papers that General Jose Marion Solas has 
issued a proclamation calling upon his fellow-citizens, by say- 
ing that he has obtained permission from his government to 
raise a Guerilla Corps, with which to attack and destroy the 
Yankee's invading army in every manner imaginable. " War 
without pity " and " death " will be the motto of the guerilla 
warfare of vengeance. Therefore, I invite all my fellow- 
citizens, especially my brave subordinates, to rally around my 
(Solas) standard and enroll themselves for immediate action. 

(Signed) Solas. 

This kind of warfare is looked upon by all civilized people 
as an outrage on humanity. It seems that everytime the 
regular army of Mexico gets defeated and routed by our 
forces, one or more of the Mexican leaders will commence 
this mode of warefare. Ah ! it will be the most sorrowful 
time that Mexico has ever known, and devastation and dismay 
will overspread the land if this kind of warfare is allowed to 
go on. It would have been our duty to massacre the five 
thousand prisoners taken at Vera Cruz, and the three thousand 
or more taken at the battle of Cerro Gordo ; and for the sake 
of humanity we, for the interest of this unfortunate country 
and its people, hope that Gen. Jose Marion Solas will meet with 
little success in his diabolical undertaking. 

To-day two more soldiers, belonging to the Third Illinois 
Regiment, and one belonging to the New York Regiment, were 
killed by the guerillas, while out scouting beyond the line of 
our camp; had these slain men obeyed orders and stayed in 
camp they would have been living men yet, they go out in 
small squads, three or four men, and the first they know they 
are surrounded by a band of guerillas, who are constantly on 
the watch for these small bodies in an ambush, pounce upon 
them and kill them if they can. Strong bodies the guerillas 
will not attempt to attack. Oh ! no, that is not in their line 




ATTACKED BY GUERILLAS. 



152 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

of business. They must be some of Gen. Solas' recruits 
practicing the guerilla warfare. They will get enough of this 
kind of warfare, if not stopped soon. The murdering of these 
three soldiers has again caused a great deal of excitement 
among the two Illinois Regiments, and Col. Forman, of the 
Third Illinois, has even went so far as to ask permission to 
take his regiment and follow these murdering guerillas until 
they are captured and hung, but the request was not granted, 
on account of our forces being too small to venture far from 
camp. 

In the evening I again heard a good deal of grumbling and 
complaining among our soldiers of our long delay in this un- 
healthy camp without shelter or comforts of life. Men are seen 
going from one quarter to another making inquiry about the 
cause of this long delay, and the officers say it is on account of 
Gen. Scott awaiting for more re-enforcements and the necessary 
supplies and transportation for an advancing army, also that 
there being a number of regiments whose time will soon 
expire, which will weaken the army considerably, and the 
general conversation among the expired men is that not one 
will re-enlist in the United States army. They having got 
entirely disgusted with the campaign in Mexico (not with 
Gen. Scott, but the way our government is carrying on the 
war with Mexico, they having failed to prosecute the war ac- 
cording to our first instruction. So hurry up, you men who 
sit at Washington and send on the number of soldiers 
[50,000] you promised us). 

To-night, on account of suffering and privation our soldiers 
have to endure, we have adopted the name of this camp 
miseria (misery) of Mexico. 

Sunday, May 2, 1847. — This morning there was a detail of 
five or six men fromi each company to guard a train of about 
fifty wagons to Vera Cruz and back. They go down to bring 
up provisions and ammunition for the army. I wanted to go, 
but the detail was already made out when I first heard of it. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 153 

It is now over eight weeks since Gen. Scott landed at Vera 
Cruz. Since that we have taken about eight thousand 
prisoners, among them were ten Generals, two cities, two 
famous castles (San Juan de Ulloa and Perote), over five 
hundred pieces of cannon and ten thousand stand of arms, 
besides this we have pursued the enemy with such vigor that 
Gen. Santa Anna's army is scattered to the winds, and their 
great General wandering in and around the mountains of 
Orazaba. Yet the Mexicans still cry " war to the knife and 
knife to the hilt." 

In the afternoon a party of the Illinois Volunteers started 
out in pursuit of guerillas to avenge the death of their lost 
comrades. I wish them many successes in their revengeful 
undertaking, but I am afraid the Illinois boys are not strong 
enough. 

Later in the afternoon they returned to camp, and sorry 
to say, with a similar fate. Two of their men were lassoed 
around their necks and dragged on the ground for some 
di.stance at full speed. After which the guerillas killed them 
with their vanallos (huntsman's spear). It seems from the little 
that I can learn that the Illinois men were at a spring filling 
their canteens with water, when suddenly these lanza (lancers) 
sprang from behind an ambush and lassoed two of their men 
before they saw any danger, and made off with them before 
they could get to their muskets to fire. 

This outrage has caused another great excitement among 
the Illinois boys, and the Third and Fourth Illinois Regiments 
were about getting ready to go in pursuit of the guerillas, but 
Gen. Pillow heard of it, when he instantly stopped them, and 
issued orders that no soldier or party of soldiers be allowed 
to leave camp, unless they have a written order from him 
(Gen. Pillow), that this straggling, carousing out from camp 
must and shall be stopped, that it has caused us more lives 
than we lost in battles. 

In the evening these men were buried, wrapped up in their 
blankets, with all the honors of war, on the same plot of ground 



154 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

where the others are buried. The funeral was attended and 
followed by most all of our officers and regiments. So much 
for straggling outside of our pickets. Our men to-night arc 
cursing our Quartermaster for not sending our tents. They 
were left at Vera Cruz on account of the Quartermaster not 
having wagons and teams ready in time to bring them along 
on our march hither to camp. 

To-night Lieut-Col. J. E. Thomas' Tennessee Cavalry are 
out on a scouting expedition. 

Monday, May 3, 1847. — This morning orders were read to 
us to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moment's 
notice on toward the capital of Mexico. After the men were 
dismissed, cheers and clapping of hands were given, so much 
rejoiced at the prospect of leaving this camp of misery. 

At noon the Cameron Guards, hailing from Harrisburg, 
Pa., belonging to the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, marched up in front of Col. Wm. B. Roberts' tent, and 
told the Colonel that they wanted something to eat. The 
Colonel answered them by saying that he had nothing to give 
them. At this moment they made a rush on the Mexican 
huckster women, who have their stands throughout the camp, 
selling' their things to the officers and soldiers, that is to those 
who have money left, and took nearly all the poor Mexican 
women had, and such a scrambling and rushing I never saw 
before. It beat the scrambling for Santa Anna's silver at 
Plan del Rio. The Officer of the Day tried to stop them 
from plundering the women, but all of no use. He might 
just as well attempt to stop thundering as to stop hungry 
mouths from being fed when there is something to eat. After 
they had plundered from the hucksters all they had they went 
to work and cleared the huckster women out of "Camp Misery." 
The eatables taken were then handed around from one to the 
other in the fellowship of good will. There was a marvelous 
wagging of jaws, and a volume of voices that much reminded 
one of the buzzing in a church fair — fearing of being heard 
by the commanding officers, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 155 

The officers of the company will have to pay the Mexi- 
can women for all the damages these soldiers committed. 

It is rumored this afternoon that our officer discovered a 
military store-house in Jalapa, belonging to the enemy, filled 
with uniforms, over eight hundred coats, over two hundred 
and fifty woolen overalls, one hundred and twenty jackets, 
twelve shirts, two hundred and twenty-five pair of boots, ten 
great coats, one hundred and seventy-five cloth socks, two 
hundred uniform coats unfinished, and about one thousand 
five hundred knapsacks, each of which contained some article 
of clothing, many of which are new. These uniforms must 
have been calculated for Gen. Solas' guerilla corps. 

Tuesday, May 4, 1847. — This morning Gen. Scott sent out 
the Surgeon-General for the purpose of examining our camp, 
and the condition of the soldiers. He was accompanied by 
several other doctors. They examined our quarters thor- 
oughly, and they were not long in finding that our camp was 
really a camp we styled and named, " Camp Misery." 

They reported to Gen. Scott the condition we were in, and 
the unhealthiness of the camp, and that the sooner the sol- 
diers were removed the better it will be for the troops who 
are camped here. 

Today John O'Brien (mostly going by the name of Pat), of 
Co. D, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was arrested 
for robbing a Catholic priest of his heavy gold chain attached 
to a heavy gold cross, and a splendid gold watch. Pat was 
defended by Lieut. -Col. Black and Capt. W. F. Small. They 
are both able lawyers, and if anybody can clear Pat, they can. 

This afternoon Mr. R. Brown, of our company, was taken 
to Jalapa hospital. Three more men died to-day, and were 
buried this evening, which creates a melancholy feeling among 
the soldiers. 

Wednesday, May 5, 1847. — This morning it is reported 
that Lieut. Raphael Scmmes, late commander of the United 
States brig Somers, had arrived in Jalapa City with despatches 
and communications to Gen. Scott and to the Mexican Gov- 
ernment. 



156 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The object of the mission of Lieut. Semmes, is to release 
his brother officer, passed midshipman Robert C. Rogers, 
also of the United States brig Somers ; the report demands 
of Gen. Scott, to send a strong escort of cavalry to go to the 
city of Mexico and there demand the release of Mr. Rogers, 
but the General told Lieut. Semmes, that it would be impossi- 
ble for him, Semmes, to attempt to go to the capital of Mex- 
ico with such a force, as the roads were lined with rancheros 
and guerillas, (a band of outlaws who show no respect to flags 
or to any person belonging to the United States,) also, that at 
the present time, he. Gen. Scott, could neither spare cavalry, 
artillery or infantry to guide any commissioner to the capital, 
until the arrival of re-enforcements from the United States, as 
there were numbers of regiments whose time now expired, 
which will still weaken his forces. So Commissioner Semmes 
did not get to go to the capital of Mexico and see what the 
Mexicans were doing with midshipman Rogers. 

It will be remembered, that Rogers, with a party of sea- 
men were captured during the early blockading of Vera Cruz. 
He was reconnoitering near the castle of San Juan de Ulloa at 
night, when he came across a Mexican brig-of-war named the 
Creole, which he blew up with all on board, and in trying to 
make his escape was captured. He and his men were of 
course accused of destroying the Creole, to which Rogers 
confessed and said that he was one of the party. Being 
captured in his United States uniform, he called upon the 
United States Government to protect him in his lawful right 
as a prisoner. It is now reported, that Rogers, who was at 
Puebla City, was removed to the city of Mexico. 

At noon I heard a great shouting and cheering among the 
Tennessee, Illinois, Alabama and other regiments, and I went 
down supposing that they had heard some good news, when 
they told me that they were ordered to be discharged from the 
United States service, and would leave for sweet home to- 
morrow. Oh ! didn't I wish myself to be one of them. 

This evening two of the mounted Tennesseeans died and were 
buried at the same place With the rest. It is raining to-night. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 157 

Thursday, May 6, 1847. — This morning is a glorious one 
to the discharged volunteers. We went to their camp and 
gave them a hearty shake 'of the hand and bid them good 
luck and safe return to their homes. Telling us that they 
deeply regreted to leave us almost in the midst of the enemy's 
country, that they would like to be with us and march on to 
the capital of Mexico, but the United States Government had 
fooled and bamboozled them so often, that they have no faith 
in it ; and seeing no sign of the Government prosecuting 
the war with vigor, and seeing no re-enforcements arriving, 
they began to think that the Government is in no hurry to 
crush this war. The contractors have not made enough 
money, and the quartermasters have not robbed the poor 
soldiers enough of their rations. That they were told at 
Tampico, (when ordered to join Gen. Scott's army,) that Gen. 
Scott's army will be 50,000 strong, and that the enemy was 
to be crushed to the ground and peace would soon follow. I 
believe every word these men said ; the Government has 
belied in refusing to strengthen our army. And I hear that 
Gen. Scott is quite dissatisfied at the way the Government is 
treating him, in not fulfilling the agreement made previous to 
his leaving the United States. 

No ordnance, no ammunition, no stores, no wagons and 
teams, and vvorst of all, scarcely any soldiers fit to march 
further into the interior of Mexico. 

About 8 o'clock, a. m., the reveille was called, when I 
counted the following regiments who were about leaving us, 
the First and Second Tennessee, the Third and Fourth Illi- 
nois, Georgia and Alabama regiments, Col. William's Fourth 
Kentucky regiment, and Lieut.-Col. J. E. Thomas' Tennessee 
Cavalry regiment, in all eight regiments, besides several in- 
dependent companies. When they started off, they gave us 
remaining troops three hearty cheers, and bade good-bye to 
" Camp Misery." 

Gen. Robert Patterson goes down with them on his way home 
to recruit his health and strength, and I hope his courage also. 



158 NO^FES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Some of his friends shook hands, wishing him a safe journey 
to his family. Brig.-Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, also goes with 
them home, (providing the Tennes'seeans do not shoot him,) 
to explain to his fellow citizens where he was when the 
enemy first opened fire on our brigade at the battle of Cerro 
Gordo, and how he became wounded in the arm by a musket 
bullet away down the hill in our rear. 

They take with them a large train of empty wagons to 
Vera Cruz, there to be loaded with provisions and ammunition 
for our army. As they passed out of camp, we gave them 
three hearty cheers, to which they responded with a will. 
Good-bye ! they are fast disappearing out of sight when our 
men fell back to their quarters. 

At noon we were informed that our brigade is now placed 
under the command of Gen. Quitman, a fighting general, who, 
if wanted, can be found without sending half a dozen messen- 
gers after him. 

At 2 o'clock, p. M., the Second Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers left camp for Jalapa, to form the garrison. Col. 
Wynkoop, of our regiment had the offer, but he declined, as 
he preferred to be with his regiment and with the main army 
marching on to the capital of Mexico. 

This evening, two of the South Carolinans were buried with 
all the honors of war. I learn to-night, that our friend (Pat) 
John O'Brien, was acquitted of the charge of robbing the old 
priest. Mr. O'Brien had men to swear, that he, O'Brien, was 
not the man that had robbed him ; that when the robbery was 
committed, he, Pat O'Brien, was quietly lying in his camp 
sick, (in a pig's eye,) for during the trial, Capt. Small had the 
stolen watch in his pocket as his fee to defend Pat O'Brien. 
A good and heavy swearing company, D, First Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. Pat and his friends are in high glee over his 
acquittal. He can sin again and ask the priest to forgive his 
sins. 

I hear a rumor to-night, that we will leave for Puebla city 
soon. We all hope that the rumor may prove trvje. There 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 159 

is also a rumor in Jalapa, that there was a bill introduced into 
Congress, to make the Hon. Thomas H. Benton, a Lieuten- 
ant General of the United States Army, over Gen. Winfield 
Scott ; should this bill pass, and become a law. Gen. Scott will 
immediately resign and return home, and explain to the people 
the way he has been treated since he landed his little army 
near Vera Cruz, Mexico. 

The much talked of firing in the rear of Gen. Scott's army 
has commenced. In fact, it has been working and brewing 
ever since our army left Vera Cruz. This kind of business 
and quarreling about who should command the army now so 
victoriously marching on toward the capital, has put a damper 
on the peace prospects. No wonder Gen. Santa Anna is 
determined to die sooner than treat with the government 
of the United States, and to restrict any power to make 
peace, and if made by any unauthorized person, it shall be null 
and void. 

Friday, May 7, 1847. — This morning, sure enough, the ru- 
mors of last evening, that we would leave " Camp Misery," is 
true. About 9 o'clock, a. m., the drums began to beat. The 
soldiers all seemed pleased to get away from this camp, and 
hurried into line to answer roll-call. After a few compli- 
mentary remarks from our Captain, W. F. Small, a command 
came from Col. Wynkoop ; " Forward ! March ! " And off we 
went with no regret and without weeping eyes. Our march 
was nearly all up hill, over a rough road and country. We 
went through the noted pass La Hoya (The Hollow), which 
is about eight miles in length, and is one mass of rocks and 
lava stones. Here the Mexicans had the pass fortified to stop 
our advancing army ; but when Col. Harney's dragoons ap- 
peared in sight, they deserted it and left the heavy cannons 
lay and took the small ones with them. Gen. Worth, who 
was then in our advance, had not the means of transportation 
to take artillery, and was, therefore, obliged to spike and 
knock the ends off, and then roll them off the road for the 
army and wagons to pass. 



IGO NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

We examined the position, and in my humble opinion, 
La Hoya is far the worst pass, and a stronger position than 
Cerro Gordo. We marched on and went into camp at a small 
town called Las Vegas. Here our regiment quartered in a 
church. There is good spring water here, and some fruit 
trees, such as figs, bananas, oranges, etc. 

This is truly a strange country, for not a wagon or carriage 
(except government wagons) have we met on our march. 
Even in Vera Cruz, not a four or even a two-wheeled vehicle 
could be seen. Everything is brought into town on packed 
donkeys, or jack-asses (as we call them), and on the poor In- 
dian's back, packed and loaded like his brother, the ass, bur- 
dened down with charcoal, vegetables, etc. This is sometimes 
brought many miles to market, and particularly about Vera 
Cruz, for nothing grows there but bluffs of sand. 

Saturday, May, 8, 1847. — This morning at daylight we 
started on our march over what was at one time a macadamized 
roa,d, but now very rough. We arrived at the town of Perote 
about 4 o'clock, p. m. After a half hour's rest, we were 
ordered to march into the Castle of Perote. Here we are to 
be stationed as a garrison for the present time. The New 
York, South Carolina and other regiments marched beyond 
the town of Perote, where they encamped for the night ; but 
most of the officers remained in town. 

In the evening some of the officers visited and examined 
Castle Perote, and all pronounced it a strong fort. 

The snow-top mountains of Orazaba and Cofrado de Perote 
are in full view from here. 

As already stated, the road we passed over to-day was so 
rough that many of our wagons were broken down and upset, 
and we were late getting into camp. Every company is se- 
lecting and fixing up their quarters, and they are the best we 
have had since we left the ships. 

Gen. Worth captured this castle April 22, last. He, with 
his whole division, left this morning for Puebla — that is if 
Gen. Santa Anna don't stop him before he gets there. It was 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 161 

reported to-night that Gen. Santa Anna had over six thousand 
men entrenched on this side of Puebla, and is going to dis- 
pute our march further. 

Sunday, May 9, 1847. — This morning a party of soldiers 
and myself paid a visit to the town of Perote, and I must say 
that we were sadly disappointed, for we found it no great 
place. Very little business is carried on here, and a very slim 
market for Sunday, probably the buhoncro scnorito (peddler 
ladies) are afraid to bring their produce to market, fearing us 
Yankees would insult or not pay them. We find here (like 
all other villages) plenty of priests, monks, and some of the 
most igfnorant and miserable creatures that walk under God's 
sun. Most of them have scarcely enough clothing to hide their 
nakedness. Many wear what is called sandals, which consist 
of a piece of leather or skin tied with a string around their 
heel, instep and big toe. Many wear nothing on their 
feet. The ladies wear no bonnets, nothing but a scarf or 
a small shawl over their devoted heads. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., Gen. Quitman's division left Perote for 
the city of Puebla. I pitied some of Gen. Quitman's men, 
for they seemed to be much worn out and fatigued. They 
hardly could keep up on the last day's march, on account of sore 
feet and diarrhoea, and being unaccustomed to marching. We 
also went to church, and I was astonished to see it so hand- 
somely decorated ; some very fine and costly paintings 
hung on the walls. 

In the afternoon we returned to our quarters, at the Castle 
of San Carlos. 

Monday, May 10, 1847. — This morning orders were issued 
for dress parade and squad drill every morning and after- 
noon. 

To-day a company of the Second United States Dragoons 
arrived in the town of Perote. They are to remain here and 
watch the guerillas until Capt. Walker's mounted Texan 
Rangers arriye from Vera Cruz. 
11 



162 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

This afternoon I took a walk around, and visited different 
companies' quarters. They all speak in the highest praise of 
their elegant quarters, and are wondering how long Uncle 
Sam will let them remain here. 

Tuesday^ May ii, 1847. — This morning, sure enough, com- 
menced reveille ; squad drill at 8 o'clock, company drill at 4 
o'clock, p. M., dress-parade at 6 o'clock, p. m. We are now 
acting and drilling under the regular Scott tactics. It is 
healthy exercise, and gives the men an appetite. 

This evening it is again rumored (and it seems to come from 
good authority) that Gen. Santa Anna, with about six thou- 
sand men, is strongly entrenched at a small town called 
Amozoquco, about ten miles on this side of Puebla. Santa Anna 
boasts that he is going to give Gen. Scott some trouble before 
he (Scott) gets much further into his (Santa Anna's) country. 
1 don't think there will be any danger to prevent our side from 
coming out victorious. As Gen. Worth, who is now in our ad- 
vance, has got, I think, three batteries, commanded by Col. 
Duncan, Capt. Steptoes and Bonneville, well supplied with grape, 
canister, shell and round shots, and about three thousand 
infantry and six hundred dragoons, under Col. W. S. Harney, 
who would sooner fight than eat. 

Nothing else of importance transpired to-day. 

Wednesday, May 12, 1847. — This morning, as usual, noth- 
ing but drilling, with no encouragement on my part, having 
the toothache, which is one of the most painful complaints 
that a person can have. There are people who would will- 
ingly give a large sum of money to anyone who should dis- 
cover a speedy and certain cure for it. 

This evening I had a talk with Don Jose, Assistant Super- 
intendent of the Castle de Perote. Retells me that this castle 
is now used for the temporary storage of valuable property 
previous to its shipment from Vera Cruz ; apd also as a place 
of safety for military and political prisoners, of which I will 
write more hereafter. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 163 

Don Jose is a full-blooded Mexican, and when Gen. 
Worth captured the castle, or, in fact, previous to its capture, 
all the troops, and most of the prisoners fled, but Don Jose 
remained at his post, and still holds his old position, with 
strict orders not to leave the castle without orders from the 
commanding officer of the castle. 

In the evening some of our men went to Col. Black's head- 
quarters, making inquiry about Gen. Worth's division, whether 
there was any news ; but Col. Black answered that he had no 
news yet, but expected some every day. [Cheers.] 

Later in the evening it commenced to get cold, bleak, and 
windy ; rain and sleet in the air — just like a fickle November 
furnishes both to perfection in the Allegheny Mountains in 
Pennsylvania — making the men wrap themselves up in their 
blankets and hang around the camp-fire. 

Thursday^ May 13, 1847. — This morning Capt. Ayres, with a 
company of artillerymen, arrived and took up quarters in the 
Perote Castle of San Carlos. They are to be stationed here to 
command artillery in the castle. They also brought with 
them some of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
who were left in the Jalapa hospital sick. 

Capt. Ayres reports that Gen. Scott will arrive at the Castle 
of Perote about Monday next on his way to the city of 
Puebla to join the advance of his army. He also states that 
it was reported in Jalapa previous to his leaving, that Mr. 
Nicholas P. Trist, Commissioner appointed from the United 
States Government, is on his way to negotiate with the Mexi- 
can government to make peace. How are you peace — peace 
in a pig's eye. 

The weather torday is beautiful, and it reminds me of our 
May at home. 

At noon there was a detail of two men from each company 
to guard a way train to Jalapa for provisions. 

This evening it is reported that Gen. Santa Anna has re- 
signed the presidency of Mexico. This is not believed by 
the citizens. 



164 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Friday, May 14, 1847. — This morning Capt. Ayres very un- 
expectedly left the Castle of San Carlos with his command to 
join Gen. Worth's division. His command is composed of 
all diarrhoea blues, belonging to the different regiments of 
Gen. Worth's division. They were left at the Jalapa hospital, 
and he is now taking them to join their respective commands, 
Capt. Ayres' company, is now with Gen. Worth's division and 
he is on his way to take command of it again. It will be re- 
membered that Capt. Ayres was the first one that planted the 
flag of our country at Monterey. 

About 10 o'clock, A. M., an express arrived from Jalapa, 
with orders from Gen. Scott to detail three companies of the 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers to garrison Jalapa 
along with the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. 
So, at noon, Cos. A, G and I left for that place under the 
command of Maj. Francis L. Bowman. 

In the evening the water commenced running very slowly 
from the fountains. Col. Wynkoop, now Governor of the 
castle, sent word to the Alcalde of Perote that if he did not 
send the water on he would be obliged to send some few 
bombs from the castle into the city of Perote ; and it was not 
long afterward when we had plenty of water. 

Saturday, May 15, 1847.— This rnorning one of the artil- 
lerymen was assaulted by a party of Mexicans, one caught 
hold of his horse, while the others stoned and stabbed him in 
the back ; he, however, made good his escape to the castle ; he 
reported the same, after which a guard was sent to the town 
and was there joined and headed by the Alcalde, and searched 
every crack, corner and house until they found the parties, 
the would-be assassins. They were brought to the castle and 
put into a dark cell, there to await trial ; otherwise every- 
thing was quiet. 

Sunday, May 16, 1847. — This morning our company was 
notified to mount guard at 10 o'clock, a. m., but owing to a 
deficient number we were excused from duty to-rday, and Co. 
F took our place. So a squad of us paid a visit tq fhe 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR 165 

town and to the church, and beheld the wonders, and looked 
at the old priest performing. After church is over, the market 
commences ; to-day has been the largest market j^et. 

This afternoon Gov. Wynkoop and staff paid a visit to the 
town to see how things were going on. After which they 
returned to the castle. No news from either front or rear. 

Monday, May 17, 1847. — This morning at 10 o'clock, we 
mounted guard for the first time since we were in the castle, and 
it seems curious to me ; also the day seems long while on 
post, my post being at the flag-staff. While on guard, my 
old friend, Daniel M. Dull, of McVeytown, Pennsylvania, came 
to me with a letter from my friend, Samuel Horning, also of 
the same town; the letter he had just received from the post- 
office; knowing that it belonged to me, he lifted it for me. 
This is actually the first letter I received since I've been in the 
United States army, and it was welcome you may depend ; the 
news being also very good from home. All well. No further 
news to-day. No news from Gen. Worth. 

Tuesday, May 18, 1847. — This morning after we were 
released from guard duty, a traveler arrived in the castle, 
stating that Gen. Scott was coming ; so the artillerymen were 
ordered to stand by the cannons to fire a salute in honor of 
their old chief Col. Wynkoop and staff went out to meet 
him, but soon returned, saying it is a humbug. 

This afternoon the Mexican prisoners who attempted to 
assassinate the artilleryman, swept the main plaza of the castle. 

This has been the coldest day I have experienced since I 
have been in Mexico ; the Orazaba and other surrounding hills 
are all covered with snow. The Mexicans are saying inucho 
frio ]iaj}ibre^ (very cold man.) No news from Gen. Worth. 

Wednesday, May 19, 1847. — -This morning it commenced 
raining and snowing and continued all day. This evening it 
blew up very cold. 

Thursday, May 20, 1847. — This morning at 10 o'clock the 
court-martial sat, and the trial of those Mexicans who at- 
tempted to assassinate the artilleryman, came up first, and 



166 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

after a short setting, the Court acquitted nine, and the tenth 
confessed his guilt, and was sentenced to receive sixty lashes 
on his bare back in the main plaza of Perote, on the 29th of 
this month. This fellow is young, wild, stout and handsome, 
and has a fair looking wife with one child. His wife brings his 
meals to him regularly, and always brings the child along, 
which is a fine little baby. She takes it very hard, and would 
like to see him out. She says that when the deed was done 
he was drunk, and she did not believe that her husband was the 
guilty man. After he receives his lashes he is to be confined 
in the castle until the end of the present war with Mexico. 

Report to-night that the guerillas captured Gen, Worth's 
messenger with his despatches. This is the reason we have 
heard no news. 

Friday, May 21, 1847, — This morning the mail coach came 
in town, stating that they were robbed at the town of Tepe- 
gahualco, but, fortunately, it contained no Americans in it at 
the time, only a Frenchman and his family; they having Gen. 
Worth's despatches of the capture of Puebla, and for having 
these despatches the guerillas took from them all they had 
with them, and barely spared their lives. The town of 
Tepegahualco is notorious for the guerillas, and seems to be 
their headquarters. Our next excursion will be in that direc- 
tion, and God help them if we ever get hold of them, 

Saturday, May 22, 1847, — This morning two companies 
(F and H) of our regiment, accompanied by Col. Wynkoop, 
went in pursuit of the guerillas, who are said to be near here, 
at a small town named Cruz Blanco (White Cross). And 
after a whole day's scouting they returned this evening with- 
out finding or seeing anything of them. 

It is rumored this evening that Mr, Nicholas P, Trist, an 
Envoy or a Commissioner of the United States, arrived at 
Jalapa with despatches to certain persons in the city of 
Mexico, Thus it seems that our government is anxious to 
make peace at any price. This is strange ; does our govern- 
ment really think that the Mexicans will negotiate and make 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 167 

peace, when there is only a handful of individuals in their 
country ? All bosh. Our officials at Washington must 
either be crazy or they don't know what they are doing, and 
this is only another fire in the rear, and for the purpose of pro- 
longing the war. 

Gen. Scott received Mr. Trist very coolly, and informed 
him that the only way that peace can be accomplished is for 
the United States Government to send him (Gen. Scott) re- 
enforcements, that he may then march on to the halls of 
Montezumas, and not before then will the Mexican Govern- 
ment be ready to make peace. In fact the soldiers don't want 
peace until the halls of Montezumas are stormed and taken. 
Let our government send the re-enforcements promised to 
Gen. Scott, and we will soon march on, and not stop until the 
capital of Mexico is taken. Then let us say peace, peace ! 
And, mark me, this will have to be done. Gen. Scott is ready 
and anxious to march on to the capital, but is waiting in 
Jalapa for re-enforcements. Oh ! in behalf of my fellow- 
soldiers, I ask why don't you send on troops, that we may ac- 
complish what we came for, to conquer the Mexicans, and 
then seek for peace ? Oh ! in that name is music. 

The weather still keeps cold. 

Sunday, May 23, 1847. — This morning our company was 
detailed to bury one of Co. I's men of our regiment; this is 
owing to the dead man's company being absent on duty at 
Jalapa. 

This soldier was left here in the hospital sick when his com- 
pany went to Jalapa. He, however, soon recovered, and at- 
tached himself to our company. He was well and hearty a 
few days ago, and yesterday he died very suddenly of heart 
disease. We buried him with all the honors of war, which 
was all that was left for us to do. The flag of the First Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers was the pall for his coffin. 

There is a good deal of talk among our men about the idea 
of our government constantly clamoring about peace, when 
it is a well-known fact that the Mexican Congress passed a 



168 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

law to listen to no peace propositions, and to carry on the war 
which the government of the United States is waging against 
the Mexican government. They, the enemy, having declared 
to preserve and defend their country with all the energy 
which the country demands. 

This evening there is a report from Gen. Worth's division, 
that while on his way to Puebla, he had a little fight with 
some of Gen. Santa Anna's cavalry, about two thousand 
strong, at a small town called Amozoquco, about ten miles 
from Puebla on the National Road. After Col. Duncan and 
Maj. Bonneville, of Capt. Steptoes' battery, got into posi- 
tion they commenced to fire, and the way our fellows poured 
the grape, canister and shell in and among them was a cau- 
tion, killing over eighty Mexicans, besides wounding many ; 
our loss was two killed and a few wounded. The victory was 
complete, and the enemy fled in all directions. 

After the enemy's defeat Gen. Worth marched on to the city 
of Puebla, and entered it without any opposition from the 
enemy or its citizens, without the firing of a gun. He 
marched into the main plaza, stationed his artillery in the 
centre, and the soldiers laid down with their fire-arms as inde- 
pendently and unconcerned and slept as if there was no 
enemy in the country. 

Friends, think of it, an army, a little over four thousand, 
marching into a city with a population of seventy-five or 
eighty thousand, without firing a gun ! Why it even aston- 
ishes the Mexicans here at Perote. The Mexicans say, 
" Miicho bueno ! Mucho valentons ! " (Very brave and gallant). 

This news has caused a little excitement among the Mexi- 
cans, and inspired new life into our soldiers, and they are 
laughing heartily at the idea of our government wanting to 
make peace, with such glorious victories and prospects of 
conquering the Mexicans. 

" A little nonsense now and then 
Is relished by some of the wisest men." 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 169 

Monday, May 24, 1847. — This morning our company was 
detailed to go on guard for the second time since we are quar- 
tered here. I was stationed in front of the main guard-house, 
a comfortable station in case of rain or storm. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., I was relieved from guard duty four 
hours, but had to remain in and about the guard-house all 
day and night. 

About II o'clock, A. M., a courier came to the Castle of 
Perote, stating that Gen. Scott with a large train is coming. 
When he came in sight the cannons sent forth their peals of 
thunder, and when he arrived our regiment was out on parade, 
bearing the flag of our State. He uncovered and acknowl- 
edged the corn, remarking that he feels proud to see the First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in such a good state of 
health, and complimented Col. Wynkoop highly for our neat 
and cleanly appearance, after which he entered the Castle of 
Perote, took a walk around and all over the castle, examining 
the artillery and heavy cannons, remarking that this is truly a 
very strong fort, and it surprised him that the Mexicans should 
have surrendered it without a battle. After he had examined 
and seen all, he returned to the town of Perote, where he took 
up his quarters for the day and night. 

Several of our soldiers who were left back at Jalapa 
hospital, having so far recovered that they were able to do 
duty, have joined their respective companies ; and from them I 
learned the sad news of the death of John Sheldon and Simon 
Schaffer, both belonging to our company. Mr. Sheldon was 
wounded at the battle of Cerro Gordo, and died of his 
wounds on May 6th, and my esteemed friend and messmate, 
Simon Schaffer, died May 13, 1847. 

Mr. Schaffer hailed from Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, 
Pa., and joined our company on our way to Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Hailing from the same county in which I lived, and spent the 
majority of my boyhood days, on that account we became 
more familiar and more intimately attached to each other. We 
were chums, in camp we slept together, and on our march we 



170 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

marched together, and slept under one blanket, divided our 
crackers, and often drank out of one canteen and our coffee 
out of one cup. How often did we talk about the good 
people of Lancaster County, of their beautiful farms, their 
ways, habits, festivals and fairs. But he is now gone, no more 
on earth will we hear his clarion voice answer roll-call. 
No more will his well-built form be seen in our ranks. He 
has passed from us in this ticrrcs calientcs, far from his garden 
country home in the northern clime, with no mother's prayers 
or hand to fan or cool his fevered brow, or to wipe the sweat 
from his downcast face. No sister's gentle voice to whisper 
words of encouragement and love. No father to strengthen him 
in the dying hour. No kind friends were at his bedside to watch 
over him and attend to his necessary wants. There was some- 
thing very peculiar about Mr. Schaffer. After we left Vera Cruz, 
and way out of sight of the ships that brought us from the 
United States to the shores of Mexico, he became melancholy 
and very low spirited, and fretted. He would frequently speak 
of being in this hostile country where every man, woman and 
child is thirsting for his life's blood, and that it would be almost 
impossible for him to escape death in this country — Mexico. 
I told him that I admitted that we were in a strange and hostile 
land, and that many chances of life are constantly against us, 
and that many dangerous and threatening clouds may. hang 
around us, but to pass them all and trust in the future, and to 
cast those delusions and troublesome thoughts from his mind. 
That I feared nothing except our Maker above us, and that I 
left nothing behind but what I expect to see again. After 
talking to him in this way he would then pick up courage, go 
off and attend to his duties singing, whistling, chatting and 
laughing, but the vision of the early scenes of his childhood, 
and the peculiar circumstances and threatening danger before 
him would soon come back to his mind again. 

Previous to our regiment leaving " Camp Misery," for the 
interior of Mexico, he was put in the Jalapa hospital, he 
being too ill from diarrhoea to march with us. I called to see 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 171 

him, to bid him good-bye, he gave me a hearty shake with 
both of his trembhng hands, and with tears in his eyes said 
" Good-bye, friend Jacob, you and I have had many a sociable 
and friendly talk together, and many a happy hour have we 
passed with pleasant enjoyment, but this I fear will be the 
last time you will ever see me aliv^e." I told him to have no 
such fears, but to trust and hope, and all will be well ; and to 
throw such fear from his mind. But all to no use. And 
whatever it was that troubled him so much about home, I 
will let the people of Elizabethtown explain. 

He was a good and true hearted man, faithful and obedient 
and was well liked and esteemed by his comrades-in-arms. 
He did, or wished, no earthly being any harm, and I am fully 
convinced, that he died a true Christian, for he was deeply 
imbued with a religious sense of right. Thus the noble life 
is put out in the flower of its youth. He was a good com- 
panion, and I feel his loss with a sorrow which words cannot 
express. He fell beneath death's ruthless hand, a victim to 
that dreadful disease called " diarrhoea." 

No Winter there. No shades of night, 

Profane those mansions blest, 
Here in these foreign fields of hght 
The weary are at rest. 
No tombstone there to point out to the traveler passing by, 
Whose ashes m those silent graves do lie. 

Tuesday, May 25, 1847. — This morning after abnor::ar, 
(breakfast,) Gen. Twiggs' division and a large train consisting of 
over four hundred wagons and over two hundred pack 
mules, arrived in Perote city. Among them I noticed Col. 
Harney and his regiment of dragoons, and Capt. Samuel H. 
Walker, the Texan Ranger, with two companies of mounted 
riflemen, mounted on fine and spirited horses. They are all 
fine, strong, healthy and good looking men, nearly every one 
measured over six feet; they took up their quarters in the 
Castle Perote, and through their conversation I learn that they 
are to remain with us to keep the National Road open between 



172 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

this castle and the city of Jalapa. So guerillas, robadors, 
(robbers,) take warning from this out, for the renowned Capt. 
Samuel H. Walker, takes no prisoners. 

This evening we hdid poliito (chicken) for supper. 

Wednesday, May 26, 1847. — This morning, Gen. Winfield 
Scott and staff, left with Gen. David E. Twiggs' division for 
the city of Puebla. They take with them the whole wagon 
train; the pack mules are left here for the present; the 
heavy siege train accompanies this division. A party of us 
soldiers went out on the main road to see them off, and 
cheered Gen. Scott as he passed ; and told him not to leave 
us here long to garrison, as we were all anxious to be with 
the main army, and in the grand picture of the battles to be 
fought in the Valley of Mexico. His answer was, " to be of 
good cheer, there will be enough of fighting for us all before 
the war is over." (Cheers.) 

In the afternoon, Capt. Samuel H. Walker, the celebrated 
Texan Ranger, with his two companies of mounted riflemen, 
and Col. William S. Harney's dragoons, left the Castle Perote 
for the town of Perote, placed there as a garrison to keep an 
eye on the guerillas, robbers and blanket greasers — a class 
of people who watch in the day-time who they can kill, and 
what they can steal at night. 

In the evening we were paid off, two and a-half month's 
pay. Each soldier received ;^I7.50. Oh ! what a big pile to 
fight these bloody Mexicans. However, having spent all our 
money before we left New Orleans, we all felt ourselves rich, 
and it was not long afterward some went on a regular spree, 
and finally lodged in the guard-house for disorderly conduct. 

In the evening our mess had a cherry pudding for supper, 
which has been the first since we left the States. 

Thursday, May 27, 1847. — This morning a train left Perote 
for Jalapa, and was escorted by Capt. Walker and his com- 
pany. Mr. Kerns "our sutler" having sold out his stock to 
Daniel M. Dull, goes down with this train on his way home, 
having seen enough of Mexico. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 173 

To-day one of the regulars and one of Col. Harney's men 
died, and were buried this evening. 

To-night the guard-house is full, and the cry is, " Still they 
come! AW borrac/io / " (Drunk.) 

Friday, ]\Iay 2<S, 1847. — This morning there was a detail of 
five men from each company to go to Col. Wynkoop, and 
there report — for what we did not know, but the Sergeant- 
Major said it was to go somewhere to sweep up and around 
the castle. This made the men rave and curse, telling Col. 
Wynkoop plainly that they would not sweep up the streets, 
as they did not enlist to sweep, and if the United States could 
not afford to hire its sweepers, they would pay it themselves 
out of their scanty means, sooner than to be slaves or 
scavengers. The Colonel sent them away laughing. 

Saturday, May 29, 1847. — This morning two companies were 
called out to escort the Mexican prisoner, who was convicted 
for attempting to assassinate one of our artillerymen, to the 
main plaza of Perote. When we arrived at the plaza we 
found it crowded with greasers and some of the most no- 
torious, cruel and remorseless ruffians in the country, and it 
was rumored that they would make a break through the 
guard and release their comrade in arms ; but their courage 
failed them. Four muskets were stacked in the middle of the 
plaza, and the prisoner's hands and feet were tied up to them, 
and the drummer, called Yorkey, of Co. H, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, came forward with a strong rat-tan 
and gave him thirty lashes on hfs bare back. At first he did 
not seem to mind it much, taking it very easy, until he re- 
ceived about fifteen, when he began to get restless and bent 
double at every stroke, and groaned with the utmost shrieks. 
His back was literally cut open. He was to have sixty, but 
Adjutant Brown thought thirty was enough, and Yorkey, also 
being satisfied, as he was beginning to get tired lashing. He 
was afterwards relieved from his painful position, escorted 
back to the castle, and here to remain in confinement until the 
war is over. The doctor put something on his rare back to 
keep him from getting cold. 



174 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Sunday, May 30, 1S47. — This morning a non-commissioned 
officer was put into the guard-house for passing soldiers on 
spurious passes. 

This afternoon one of the regular soldiers was buried. He 
was left here in the hospital when the division he belonged to 
left for Puebla. 

There is to be an election for a Lieutenant in our company 
to-morrow. 

Monday, May 31, 1847. — This morning there is a company 
election for Second Lieutenant. After a close vote it resulted 
in the choice of Sergeant Joseph M. Hall, over Oscar F. 
Bentson, our Orderly-Sergeant, and one of the best drilled non- 
commissioned officers in the First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. 

In the evening the victorious party had a tall spree on &%,^- 
nogg at the expense of the successful candidate. They kept 
it up until midnight — singing and dancing. 

Tuesday, June i, 1847. — This morning at 10 o'clock our 
company was detailed to go on guard. I was fortunate 
enough to get a good post. 

Wednesday, Jine, 2, 1847. — This morning after I was re- 
leased from guard duty, I returned to my bunk for the pur- 
pose of taking a nap, but I had scarcely laid down when 
Thomas Bruster, a member of our company, who laid right 
alongside of me, gave a sudden shriek or groan, after which 
he died. He was an honorable and upright man, an active 
member of our company, and his sudden death has cast a 
gloom over his circle of friends. 

Mr. Bruster was beloved in his company with a love sur- 
passing that between brothers. He was a genial gentleman, 
a brave soldier, faithful to his comrades, obedient to his su- 
perior in rank, and a few days before his demise, for his mod- 
est and unassuming manners, was appointed Sergeant in place 
of Sergeant J. M. Hall, who was promoted to Lieutenant. 

At 2 o'clock, p. M., our company and Capt. Scott's com- 
pany (H) escorted his remains to the silent tomb. At the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 175 

grave Capt. W. F. Small made a few appropriate remarks, 
touching upon the deceased's character, that it was perfect, 
that he was a good husband and an affectionate father ; he 
was a devoted son and brother, and a gallant soldier ; he died 
suddenly, far away from his family and early associates. 

Mr. Bruster hails from the city of Philadelphia, Northern 
Liberty District. 

The peaks of Orazaba and Brother de Perotc are both 
covered with snow. 

Thursday , June 3, 1847. — This morning Col. Wynkoop and 
several companies of Col. Harney's dragoons, accompanied by 
the alcalde of Perote, went in pursuit of some guerillas, re- 
ported to be between here and Jalapa, they (the guerillas) having 
again robbed the mail-coach yesterday. Some spies informed 
the alcalde where they were quartered, and if Col. Wynkoop 
with his dragoons comes across any of them I would not give 
much for their red jackets. 

In the afternoon I went to Perote and had the pleasure of 
looking on at -a. fandango dance, the most favorite dance among 
the middle-class of people, and particularly among the Span- 
iards, by whom it was first introduced into Mexico. No 
festival, whether religious, political, or civil, would be com- 
plete unless they had d. fandango. It is danced to the music 
of the violin, tambourine and cymbals. 

On the eve of a saint's day, during Christmas week, and on 
all saint's 6.a.ys,\\-\& fandango flourishes in and out of doors, in 
the huts of the poor and in the streets, after which some one 
goes around to collect a few clacos (cents), which is mostly 
given to the priests for masses for the souls in purgatory. 

Friday , June ^, i847- — This morning, about 3 o'clock. Col. 
Wynkoop's party returned from the guerilla hunt. When the 
sentinel first heard the approaching of horses, he, without 
asking " Who comes there," fired his gun, and that alarmed and 
raised the whole garrison of the Castle of Perote, and the draw- 
bridge was instantly hauled up, and the bells ringing, all men 
were ordered upon the rampart to be ready for any emergency 
and to welcome our enemy. 



176 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

It was soon discovered that in place of it being the enemy, 
it was Col. Wynkoop's party returning from their scouting 
tour. Col. Wynkoop reports that they chased up several 
bands of guerillas, but could not catch them on account of 
their horses being fresh. They fled to the mountains like 
deers to their hiding-places. 

To-day one of Co. K's men, of our regiment, died of brain 
fever. He was followed to his grave by his company, and 
buried with the usual honors. 

Saturday , June 5, 1847. — This morning Gens. La Vega and 
Harrea, accompanied by several of our officers, came into the 
castle, where they will remain on parole of honor until 
further orders. 

In the afternoon they, with Col. Wynkoop and others, went 
around and visited the different quarters and cells. Gen. 
Harrea pointed out and showed to our men where the Texas 
Rangers, including Capt. Samuel H. Walker, were imprisoned 
and confined, and how and when they made their escape and 
fled to the mountains. 

It seems that the prisoners, at midnight, dug up the stone 
floor, and then dug through under the stone-wall foundation. 
In that way they escaped from their cells. They disarmed the 
guard and made a rush to the outer court, where over one 
hundred Mexicans were guarding some arms. The escaped 
prisoners took two pieces each, attacked the guard, defeating 
them and making them retreat into the castle, the prisoners 
fled to the mountains for safety. 

During the imprisonment of Capt. Walker, the Mexicans 
planted a large flag-pole, in which the prisoners had to assist. 
Before raising the pole Capt. Samuel H. Walker put a ten-cent 
piece on the bottom of the flag-pole, at the same time telling the 
Mexicans agiia el qiierer pero scde te Amcricaiios bandcra ondo 
ola per soley estas castiliiis, meaning that he will yet see the 
American banner wave over this castle. To this the Mexicans 
all took a hearty laugh, saying, " No, no; that it was impossi- 
ble." At that time there was no sign of war between the two 
nations. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 177 

I have been told that since Capt. Walker has arrived he has 
dug under the flag-pole and taken from under it the very same 
ten-cent piece placed there by his own hands, thus proving his 
heroic words and imprisonment to be true. 

Gen. Harrea was governor of the castle when Capt. Walker 
and his gallant band of Texas Rangers made their escape. 
Gen. La Vega is a remarkably fine and bold looking officer ; 
but in Gen. Harrea there is something in his countenance that 
I do not like ; there seems to be a good deal of savage Creole 
blood running through his veins. 

Sunday, June 6, 1847. — This morning, unexpectedly, we 
were ordered to report to Col. Wynkoop's quarters for the 
purpose of going out skirmishing. So, at 2 o'clock, p. m., we 
left, led by Col. Wynkoop and a company of Col. Harney's 
dragoons. 

We kept marching until we came to a town called Tepega- 
hualco, about ten miles from Perote Castle. This town is the 
headquarters of those notorious ruffians and guerillas. We 
surrounded the town, which is built of lodo (mud) houses, 
but the lancers and guerillas got wind of our coming and suc- 
ceeded in making their escape before we arrived ; but we cap- 
tured a lot of military clothing, arms and ammunition. After 
an hour's rest we started back for Perote, where we arrived in 
the evening a little fatigued. 

Monday, Jnnc 7, 1847 — Este nianana (this morning) a train 
of some three hundred wagons started for Vera Cruz. It 
came from Puebla late last night. There were seven men, be- 
longing to our company, who got their discharge yesterday, 
going down with this train on their way home. Capt. R. 
K. Scott,. of Co. H, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
goes with this train home to recruit for the regiment. This 
train, I notice, takes a great many sick and wounded soldiers 
to Vera Cruz, and there to embark for New Orleans and 
thence to their sweet homes. 

This evening it was rumored that orders were received by 
our officers from Gen. Scott for the six companies of the First 
12 



178 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, who are stationed here, to 
move, or be prepared to move, on to the city of Puebla by the 
next coming train from Vera Cruz. We hope the rumor may 
prove true, for we are all getting tired of hunting and fighting 
nothing but guerillas. 

Many of our men have an attack of diarrhoea, a disease which 
if not strictly attended to will prove fatal. This is mostly the 
men's own fault in not taking proper care of themselves ; they 
eat too much fruit and green vegetables. 

Tuesday, June 8, 1847. — ^•^^^' tiK^mt^ia^^^ received orders to 
hold ourselves in readiness to march for Puebla by the return- 
ing train from Vera Cruz. 

This order caused a good deal of merriment and joy among 
the men, and our prayers are that it may speedily come. 

In the afternoon one of Capt. Walker's riflemen was buried 
near the castle. He was followed by his horse and company, 
besides many of our regiment to his resting-place. At the 
grave Lieut. Thomas Claiborn, of the same company, read a 
chapter from the Bible, after which he spoke in the highest 
praise of the deceased as a gallant soldier, a true Christian, a 
faithful companion and a true friend to all his comrades. 

His death was caused by exposure and cold contracted 
while out skirmishing and in pursuit of guerillas. 

His brother, who belongs to the same company, and who, 
of course, was at his funeral, was grieved at the idea of leav- 
ing his brother under the sod of a foreign country. He 
marked his grave with a nice little head board. 

In the evening two men from the hospital were buried near 
the same grave. These men's companies are with Gen. 
Worth's division, now at Puebla, and, as the saying is, they died 
in the hospital among strangers, and strangers buried them with- 
out any honors. Oh ! My prayers shall forever be that I may 
not be left to die in the hospital, or among strangers. 

This is enough for this day, so hucnas-nocJies (good-night). 

Wednesday, JiDie 9, 1 847. — This morning, after drill was 
over, Peter Ahl, Alburtus Welch, Don Jo.se and myself took a 



180 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

walk through and all around the Castle of Perote, and thor- 
oughly examined all the departments, and we must confess that 
this is a modern and strongly fortified castle. We were told 
that it is the strongest fort in all Mexico, with the exception of 
the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, at Vera Cruz. 

This " Castle Prison," as it is called by the Mexicans, is 
more, as already mentioned, for a political rival. A State con- 
spirator, a troublesome prisoner of war and the vilest felon 
unhung, of every grade of society, from the very highest to 
the very lowest, from the man of rank to the filthiest vagabond 
in the country, has, at different times, its representative here in 
this castle. And could the stones of this gloomy structured 
castle speak, the dark and cruel deeds and tales of human suf- 
fering which they might reveal would make common hu- 
manity shrink aghast. 

This castle is a grand, but gloomy, pile of the best stone- 
masonry, situated in a beautiful level valley between two 
mountains, and about one mile from the town of Perote. 
Through this town runs the National Road, and the stages, 
carrying passengers and the mail, stop over-night here. 

The Castle of Perote was biiilt in 1768. It was first called 
the Castle of San Carlos de Perote, but now mostly goes by the 
name of Castle Perote ; it was the central depot between Vera 
Cruz and Puebla to store valuable property when it was in 
danger of being seized by thieves and other outlaws hanging 
around Vera Cruz. 

It is built of what is called here volcanic scorix, which has 
been so hardened by the fusion as to be almost impervious to 
steel. The walls are over eight feet thick, and about sixty feet 
in height from the bottom of the great moat to the ramparts. 

This moat, which extends entirely around the great struct- 
ure, with its angular bastions, is some twenty feet in depth by 
two hundred feet in width ; and though ordinarily kept dry 
(while we are here), it is so connected with subterranean water- 
works, that it can be flooded in a few minutes. On the outer 
side of the moat is a massive stone wall, and beyond this 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 181 

again is a forniiclabier/'r7W/u'-c/r-/'mr and a dry ditch; including 
this ditch the entire works cover about twenty-five acres of land. 
Upon the ramparts, which are seventy feet in width and extend 
the entire circumference of the building, are mounted from 
ninety to one hundred pieces of heavy artillery, some of 
which I noticed to be the largest in the world, and we won- 
dered how they ever got them from Vera Cruz. All these 
batteries have full sweep all around this neighborhood. 

When this castle was surrendered to Gen. Scott's army it 
contained fifty-five cannons and seven mortars, both bronze and 
iron, over twelve thousand cannon balls, fourteen thousand 
bombs and hand grenades, and over five hundred muskets. 

There is also a draw-bridge, leading into the main entrance, 
over the ditch ; so, in case of an unexpected attack on this 
fort by assault, it can be drawn up in a short time, which, 
of course, would prevent the assaulting party from getting into 
the castle. 

If the Americans had such a fort and in such a position, 
no nation in the world would be able to take it from us, unless 
by starvation. It is considered by engineers to be one of the 
best constructed castles in the world, and it is surprising that 
the Mexicans surrendered it up without any opposition. Dur- 
ing the occupation by the Mexicans there was, at all times, a 
sentinel constantly pacing to and fro, day and night, constantly 
on the watch for robbers. 

The flat roof, upon which the cannons rest, is of solid ma- 
sonry, about fifteen feet in thickness, which is supported by 
successive arches, seventy feet long by twenty feet wide. The 
interior of these arches constitute the work-shops, store-rooms 
and cells for the prisoners. They are entered only from the 
inside through a massive door, which has a narrow grating 
over the top. When the door of the cell is closed, the only 
light and air which can reach it, must either come in through 
the grating mentioned, or through the loop-hole at the far 
end, it being some two feet square on the inner side of the 
wall, and gradually narrowing down to an aperture of some four 
or five inches by twelve on the outside. 



182 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Directly over the great moat, fronting these cells or arches, 
at a distance of sixty feet, is an interior range of square build- 
ings two stories high, in which the officers and soldiers of the 
garrison are quartered ; also, in many cases their wives and 
families live in this castle. The inner range is the centre court, or 
plaza, five hundred feet square, well paved, and used for mili- 
tary drills, parades, and executions if there is any. In fact, the 
castle is almost a town by itself, and originally cost Spain many 
years of hard labor, and besides many millions of dollars to 
build it to its perfection. 

In this very castle our present gallant Capt. Samuel H. 
Walker, and many other distinguished Texas Rangers, cap- 
tured by Gen. Santa Anna, and marched hundreds of miles, 
receiving treatment which killed several of their comrades on 
the way, were imprisoned in one of these cold, dark and dis- 
mal cells of these dens of a tyrant. 

They were not only imprisoned, as prisoners of war should 
be treated, but loaded down with irons, and degraded to the 
lowest menial employment, with a chain weighing twenty 
pounds, and only some three or four feet in length, linked 
by the ankle to one of their companions in misery. 

They were compelled, with others, to remove the filth and 
offal from the castle every morning in hand-barrows, and after 
that work was done they had to pack in stones and sand to 
repave the fortification for a distance of something like a mile, 
being all the time closely and well guarded by a file of Mexi- 
can soldiers on either side of the gang, and treated with indig- 
nity and abuse. 

At 6 o'clock, p. M., they were all locked up in their dark- 
cells, there to remain until 6 o'clock in the morning, passing 
the night without beds, only the cold flag-stone floor, with no 
covering but worn-out, filthy and ragged clothing and a few 
miserable blankets which they had among themselves when 
captured. 

Thus, they have passed many restless nights of misery ; some- 
times caused by cold, rheumatism, cramps, colic, and all such-like 
sufferings of the companions to whom they were chained to. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 183 

Thus they passed in misery, days, weeks and months with 
scarcely a ray of hope. 

Capt. Walker also informed us that the only mitigation of 
their suffering being in the removal of their heavy chains at 
night, which they had effected in various wa\'s, but principally 
by bribing the blacksmith to put in leaden rivets blackened 
with charcoal, so that the prisoners could remove them at 
their pleasure. Their food during their imprisonment was 
scant and poor, and this, together with hard work, loss of rest, 
exposure, anxiety of mind and improper treatment, carried 
some to the hospital, and some to' the grave, without a coffin. 
But this is nothing, as all our soldiers, including officers, that 
have been killed or have died in the hospital, have been buried 
in the same manner. 

During all this confinement and misery, they at last adopted 
some plan to make their escape from the Castle, by cutting a 
hole through the wall at night, and in this way they made 
good their escape to the mountains, from thence to the United 
States, where Capt. Walker again raised a company of rangers 
and joined the United States forces. He is now with us, 
stationed at the town of Perote, striking terror to the hearts 
of the guerillas ; he would dearly love to have a dash at his 
bosom friend Gen- Santa Anna, and pay him his compliments. 
This is about all I can write about the Castle San Carlos, de 
Perote. 

To-day our company was detailed to go on guard, but I got 
off by a diarrhoea blue volunteering to go on in my place, pro- 
viding I write him a letter, and some other little business. 

To-day two soldiers were buried from the hospital. 

Thursday, June lO, 1847. — This morning there was target 
firing by a company belonging to the Third Artillery regiment, 
under the command of Capt. Taylor, who is stationed here 
for the purpose of taking charge of the cannons. It was the 
first regular artillery drill I ever saw, and I liked their move- 
ments and way of drilling first rate. While walking around 
the ramparts, I heard the clattering of horses' hoofs and the 



184 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

rattling of scabbards ; it was Capt. Walker's company going 
on drill ; they dashed out on the road, back of the Castle, on 
a level piece of ground, there they drilled for over an hour. 
They were under the command of Lieut. Thomas Claiborn. 

Lieut. Claiborn is a tall, slim and noble looking officer, a 
splendid horseman, of very good discipline, and takes great 
pains in drilling his company. Capt. Walker, I am told, is 
not so much of a drilled officer ; but, for leading a charge, or 
following the retreating enemy, there is no braver or daring 
officer in the United States Army, than Capt. Samuel H. 
Walker. 

This afternoon there was an election held in Co. D, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, for Second-Lieuten- 
antship, Sergt. Logan and private Edward Carroll were the 
two candidates ; after much wrangling on both sides, it re- 
sulted in favor of Edward Carroll, which caused some sur- 
prise among Sergt. Logan's friends, and much rejoicing among 
Edward Carroll's friends. I am well acquainted with Mr. 
Carroll, and a better and nobler man is not in the regiment ; 
and I, myself, feel much rejoiced over his triumphant election. 
He is a soldier, and knows the soldiers' wants. The kind of 
man the soldiers want for officers. 

To-day two members of our regiment died ; they were 
buried this evening with the usual honors. Thus we go, two, 
three and four every day. 

Friday, June ii, 1847. — This morning we were ordered to 
leave the Castle and go to the town of Perote, as a garrison. 
Six companies of the regiment went, the rest still remain in 
the Castle. 

In the afternoon a small train arrived from Jalapa, bring- 
ing back the three companies belonging to our regiment. 
They took up quarters with us in town. 

In the evening Capt^ William F. Binder's company were 
out target-firing. Made some good hits. We are now under 
the command of Lieut. -Col. Black, and we are all well pleased 
with the change, as he is a tip-top fellow. Nothing new. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 185 

Saturday, June 12, 1847. — This morning all hands are 
busy in fixing up our quarters. After which I took a walk 
around and examined the building that we are now quartered 
in, and I find it was once a Mexican hospital, which was full 
(after the battle of Cerro Gordo) of wounded Mexican 
soldiers. 

Our quarters are good, better than I expected when we first 
entered them. 

At noon another one of Capt. Walker's mounted riflemen 
was buried. The deceased belonging to Harrisburg, Pa. ; and, 
out of respect, our whole company attended his funeral. His 
(Walker's) men were mounted on their horses fully equipped, 
and after the usual ceremony we went to our quarters talking 
about how fast our men were dying. 

Sunday, June 13, 1847. — This morning we could not go 
to the plaza unless we had a pass from our Captains, counter- 
signed by the Adjutant himself, but the soldiers would not 
stand any such proceedings. So we jumped the walls and 
managed to get out. 

In the evening we had a dress-parade. Col. Black in com- 
mand, and, as usual, full of jokes and fun. Oh ! when will we 
get orders to march ? 

Monday, June 14, 1847. — This morning blew up a 
tremendous storm, and an awful whirlwind, which is com- 
mon in this section of the country ; and at the suburbs of the 
town it unroofed several ranches, tore up small trees and filled 
the air with clouds of dust. Shingles and other rubbish, 
which came under its way, passed through the southern part 
of the town, and flew among the mountains. Never did I see 
it blow and hail harder; it made a noise equal to five hundred 
teams of horses coming on a rough road. 

This afternoon I formed an acquaintance with a young man 
named Fry, belonging to Co. E. He is very much of a gentle- 
man, and is intimately acquainted with Mr. George Stiefel, a 
baker, an uncle of mine living in Philadelphia. He tells me 
that he worked for him a short time before he left for 
Mexico. 



186 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Tuesday, June 15, I'^df'j. — This morning there is not much 
news stirring. 

At noon there was an election in Co. I, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, for First Lieutenant, Assistant 
Acting Adjt. I. Walden and Sergt. Minor were the respective 
candidates. After the polls were closed the votes were counted, 
cUid the result was that Sergt. Minor was elected by a big 
majority. Lieut. Walden is not much liked in the regiment. 
He is a kind of stuck-up sort of fellow, which the soldiers 
don't like ; although he has a good knowledge of military 
affairs. Yet, with all that, he did not receive one-third of his 
company's votes. Mr. Minor is every inch a gentleman, a 
soldier and scholar, having graduated and practiced law at the 
Wilkesbarre, Pa., bar. 

This evening Christopher Hill and Joseph Cample were ap- 
pointed Corporals of our company, with much dissatisfaction 
to the company, for they never did much duty, and particularly 
when the hour of danger was at hand ; in fact, I never saw 
Cample doing any duty. 

Wednesday, June 16, 1847. — This morning Capt. Walker, 
with his company, went out scouting. He hastened to the 
spot where it was reported that the guerillas were quartered, 
and sure enough this afternoon returned bringing in some 
forty or fifty mustangs as a prize. Capt. Walker reports that 
a large force is on the road between here and Vera Cruz or 
National Bridge, awaiting for the up train, which is on its way 
from Vera Cruz. 

To-night I was put on picket-guard ; and took me out over 
one mile from town ; had a strong guard on the ramparts or 
top of our quarters, in case of an attack. Capt. Walker's men 
are out on the main road as picket-guards. Our spies say that 
we are to be attacked for sure to-night at 12 o'clock. If this 
is the case, I don't know why I had to be put out beyond the 
town. What chances have I for my life ? 

TJiursday, June 17, 1847. — This morning I was released 
from guard-duty. The Mexicans did not attack us last night. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 187 

At noon we received information that a large party of 
guerillas and lancers well armed with pistols, carbines, daggers 
and lassoes, were in our rear, and advancing ; also there 
was a party of guerillas at La Hoya Pass waiting to attack 
the coming train, which I am told is loaded with specie for the 
army. I also heard that recruiting was going on in town. 
Co. D, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was detailed 
to go out scouting. They broke open several houses where 
recruiting had been carried on, finding arms and other muni- 
tion of war, also several fine horses saddled and fully equipped, 
ready to start off. They succeeded in taking three prisoners, 
and the very men w;ho tried a few days ago to bribe Sergt. 
J. R. Reynolds, of Co. D, First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, offering him a Captaincy commission at their 
rendezvous ; but he respectfully declined the promotion, and 
would sooner serve his time out in the cause of his own adopted 
country. 

Rumors of another attack to-night. 

Friday, June i8, 1847. — This morning we were positively 
assured that the Mexicans would attack the town and Castle 
of Perote. So everything was got in readiness for the attack. 
The Castle's big cannons were placed to play through the 
streets of Perote. Capt. Walker had his men ready, as well 
as his own horse bridled and saddled ready for action, or any 
emergency that he might be called on to perform. We are 
all ready, willing and very anxious to receive them and give 
them a warm reception icaliente rcccpcicnis). 

Col. Wynkoop is getting uneasy in his strong castle. He 
sent an order to Lieut. -Col. Black to move five companies to 
the Castle, which order was cheerfully obeyed. 

No attack to-night. All our plans and hopes were dashed. 
No enemy coming near us. All quiet. 

Saturday, June 19, 1847. — This morning Cos. B, C, F and 
K, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, received orders 
to go out scouting. So at 5 o'clock we started on our way. 
Capt. Walker's companies went toward the Castle, and took a 



188 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

« 
by-road passing around the town, and was seen on full trot on 

the National Road. We moved on very cautiously, looking 

through some of the chaparrals to see whether we could find 

some guerillas, but not a yellow-copper did we see. 

At noon we arrived at Las Vegas ; here we halted, expect- 
ing that we would put up for the balance of the day and night ; 
having niarclied hard, and over a rough road, but Col. 
Wynkoop said that he would push on until he met the coming 
train, if he had to go to Jalapa. To this Capt. Walker made 
answer, " Why, Colonel, your men will kill my horses in 
marching any further." There was quite a time among the 
rrien, and one-half of the soldiers went into a church, and 
swore by all the Gods on high that they would go no further 
tliis day or night ; and neither we did. 

Sunday, June 20, 1847. — Battle of Las Vegas. This morning 
at 2 o'clock we left Las Vegas, and had not gone more than 
one mile before the Mexican picket guards challenged Capt. 
Walker, who was in the advance at the time. Capt. Walker, 
being well learned in the Mexican language, some twenty 
words passed between them. The Mexicans wanted to know 
if we were Republicanos de Mexicanos, etc. They, of course, 
thought it was a re-enforcement for them, as they were expect- 
ing some. 

Capt. Walker kept on talking with the Mexicans until we 
arrived. We took our position on the left side of the road, 
after which Capt. Walker ordered his men to prepare to 
charge. Order "Mount!" was given, and while getting into 
position for action the horses became excited and seemed to 
know that something was going to be done, for they could 
hardly be managed, panting and snorting all the time. When 
the order was given, " Ready ! Charge ! " off they went with 
about fifty men with the awfulest rattling and cracking of 
horses' feet, and jangling of swords and scabbards, and yelling 
drove the strong sentinels from their breastworks, but not 
without first receiving several volleys of musketry from the 
enemy. 



190 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

When we heard the firing-, we hastened and followed Capt. 
Walker until we arrived at their rendezvous, which consisted 
of several ranches, breastworks and camp-fires still burning. 

On our way we overtook one of Capt. Walker's men, whose 
horse was shot from under him, and himself slightly wounded. 
He also said that the Captain's horse stumbled and fell. 

Not knowing the strength and position of the Mexicans, we 
were ordered to halt and lay down upon our arms and await 
till daylight. 

The morning at length dawned, when Capt. Walker and 
some of his men went out to hunt the Captain's horse, when 
suddenly they came across about a dozen Mexicans hidden 
in the brush. They were sent to our headquarters. They 
stated that the Mexicans have retreated to the other side of 
Las Vegas, and there entrenched with two pieces of artillery, 
and about two hundred cavalrymen. 

The Captain says that when his horse stumbled and fell he 
thought that he was wounded, and being anxious to be with 
his men he left his horse lay and followed, running after his 
company until the charge was accompli.shed. 

Soon after daylight, the Mexicans could be seen in large 
numbers on a hill, marching down and joining the National 
Road, about half a mile from their breastwork above Las 
Vegas. Col. Wynkoop, not knowing their strength or their 
position, did not venture to follow them, fearing that the enemy 
would make a fiank movement and cut off his retreat; yet the 
soldiers were holloaing out " Let us charge ! " " Let us charge 

on them." " To h 1 with the flank movement." " Let us drive 

them to thunder." Our Colonel ordered us to lay down for a 
short time, thinking that the enemy would come out from behind 
their second breastw^orks, but they could not be coaxed out. 

Col. Wynkoop now thought, that the Mexicans have been 
re-enforced, and thought that it would be advisable to fall back 
to Las Vegas, on an open field, and in that way draw the 
enemy on from their breastworks, and then give Capt. Walker 
who is now occupying a hill behind a clu.ster of wild pines, a 
chance to char</e. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 191 

While wc were moving our position, we saw the Mexican 
cavalry, which was not visible before, occupying a hill to our 
left, following us all the way, but took good care to keep up 
on the hill. We were now ordered to halt, and were placed 
across a large hill some twenty feet apart to skirmish. How- 
ever, we were not out long skirmishing, before we saw Capt. 
Walker's men riding as fast as their horses could go, toward 
Las Vegas. At this time the bugle sounded the signal, which 
was to get together. Col. Wynkoop now ordered us to fall 
into line quickly ; after which, we hastened back to Las 
Vegas, (or near,) where we were in the morning, to support 
Capt, Walker's mounted riflemen. 

VV^e marched on till we reached La Hoya Pass. Seeing no 
enemy, we stopped and rested for a while, for we were much 
exhausted from the want of something to eat and rest; in fact, 
we are out-done, being on our feet for twenty-four hours. 
Hearing no firing, or seeing nothing of the enemy anywhere, 
we thought that we could rest ourselves and take a little 
snooze, when all of a sudden, the report of musketry was 
heard ahead. We instantly jumped to our feet, and formetl 
in double-quick time, and started toward the firing. We had 
not gone far, when we heard the report of artillery in our ad- 
vance. The cry was, the battle was now begun, work must 
now be done. We marched on and soon found Capt. Walker 
and his men closely engaged with the enemy, in superior 
numbers. We now fell to the left side of the road, and soon 
became desperately engaged with the Mexicans, but we 
crowded on them too strong, and they fell back across the 
road to the right on a field. Seeing that the enemy were 
giving away, Capt. Walker with his company charged on the 
Mexicans. We followed, shouting and cheering loud enough 
to scare five thousand Mexicans. Volley after volley were 
fired upon them, and of course the Mexicans returned it. 
They still kept retreating. Capt. Walker fearing they would 
work their way off too fast, ordered a charge again on tlie 
Mexicans, following them, and did not stop until he had i)ut 



192 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

them to flight. The enemy are completely routed, leaving 
over one hundred wounded Mexicans lying on the victorious 
field near Las Vegas. 

After this was accomplished we were ordered to march back 
to the National Road, where we met the Second Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Lieut.-Col. 
John W. Geary (Col. Roberts having died at Jalapa). They 
are now attached to Brig.-Gen. George Cadwalader's division. 
We heartily cheered one another. We joined and followed 
them to the brow of a steep hill. Here we again saw more 
Mexicans. The dragoons, who were with Gen. Cadwalader, 
dismounted, and Col. Thomas Childs, of the United States 
Army, took command of them, and followed the Mexicans 
down the hill to the opposite side of the ravine. 

The firing was kept up on both sides very briskly for a while, 
and never did we see the Mexicans act so bravely and stub- 
born as they did to-day. They stood right up before you and 
fought like so many tigers. Our riflemen made nearly every ball 
tell, and laid many out treso (stiff"). Several of our men were 
badly wounded. The enemy has now fully retreated ; and 
word was sent for us to fall back to the National Road and pro- 
ceed on our march. 

In this fight we captured several small Mexican flags ; one 
was a guerilla's flag, on which were the words " No Quarters," 
with a black cross to it, and a skull and cross-bones. This is 
what we call a highwayman's flag of murder and robbery. 

After a little rest we again marched back to Las Vegas with 
our booty, which consisted of turkeys, chickens, pigeons and 
many other articles too numerous to mention. 

When we arrived in Las Vegas there wasn't a single person 
to be found in the whole town. No doubt they heard of the 
defeat of the Mexicans, which frightened them, and for fear of 
being harmed they fled to other parts less hot. We noticed 
that the Mexicans had the upper part of the town well forti- 
fied for an attack on our army, or on our trains from Vera 
Cruz ; to rob, plunder and murder our rear guards, or those 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 193 

poor, unfortunate souls who may happen to give out. But 
they failed in their dastardly design by being driven from their 
positions and destroyed. This is the only way to break up 
their gangs of desperadoes, ladrones, etc., by destroying their 
headquarters and burn the town, which was the case of Las 
Vegas, more than one-half the town being burnt (around the 
fortification), and would have burnt it all down, had it not been 
for Gen. Cadwalader, who prevented the men from further 
destruction of private property. 

1 regret to mention that Gen, George Cadwalader of Phila- 
delphia, Pa., made use of some very hard names, which was 
entirely out of place for a man of his standing, rank, or posi- 
tion, to make use of, and none but a drunkard or loafer would 
be guilty of making use of such language to his fellow-man. 
The whole was out of place as well as uncalled for. The men 
have been out for several days and nights, marching and skir- 
mishing in the rain-storms and on the muddy roads and fields 
to keep open the National Road for Gen. Cadwalader and his 
division to pass on without opposition to him. 

This was all done without a murmur, with patriotism and 
an empty stomach, scarcely anything to eat, or rest. We now 
claim that we should be received with a better reception than 
to be called hard names, cursed and sworn at like running 
mad-dogs, all because we happened to take a chicken or two 
from a deserted ranche. 

Soldiers who have to fight their enemy in the enemy's 
country will never go hungry as long as there are any chick- 
ens about. And we warn Gen. Cadwalader never to call the 
Pennsylvania Volurfteers Srr- — -s of b— — s and other vulgar 
names unfit to hear. A good many of the Philadelphians 
always thought a great deal of " Cady," but they now say 
they are done with him. 

We marched on and camped at Res Trio (Head River). Our 
mess took possessipi^ of an old distillery. It rained hard all 
pvening and night. 
13 



CHAPTER IV. 

GEN. GEORGE CADWALADER ARRIVES AT PEROTE LEFT PEROTE 

AND ARRIVES AT THE ANCIENT TOWN OF TEPEGAHUALCO 

(or ZEMPOLLAn) EL PINOL PASS ARRIVED AT PUEBLA 

' CITY THE GREAT CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL ATTENDED 

CHURCH THE POWER OF THE CHURCH, AND ITS SUBJECTS 

ANCIENT CITY OF CHULULA NUMBER OF CHURCHES " THE 

LEG I LEFT BEHIND ME " DRILLING AND PREPARING TO 

MARCH ON TO THE CAPITAL OF MEXICO. 

Monday, June 21, 1847. — This morning we did not rise as 
early as usual on a march, on account of being tired out, be- 
sides wet and stiff with rheumatism and cold. Some of our 
men could hardly get up ; in fact, we had to help one an- 
other up. 

After breakfast we left camp, and after a short march we ar- 
rived at the Castle of Perote about 10 o'clock, a. m. Gen. 
Cadwalader's division encamped on the right and left of the 
Castle, while the train and artillery camped in the front, which 
made everything look lively. 

I learned to-day by one of the Second Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers that Mr. Robert Brown, of our company, 
died in the Jalapa hospital, on June 12, of diarrhoea. 

In the evening several soldiers who had died during the day 
were buried. 

Tuesday, June 22, 1847.— This morning we were removed 
from our quarters in the Castle to the town of Perote, the 
same quarters we formerly occupied. 

At noon we received orders from Gen. Cadwalader to hold 
ourselves in readiness to march to-morrow. 

This afternoon is very pleasant, which had the effect of 
bringing out some of the prettiest senor dames and senoritas 
in the country, some riding out on stylish horses, richly 
mounted. The ladies are splendid riders, 
(194) 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 195 

In the evening we buried five men from the hospital. It 
seems to be our mournful pleasure to witness such scenes, and 
listen to the requiem which is breathed by the pieces of the 
comrades of the departed soldiers every day. 

IVcdncsday, June 23, 1847. — This morning an express left 
this place for Puebla to ascertain from Gen. Scott whether the 
train which is now encamped here should proceed on, or wait 
until the next train coming from Vera Cruz, and then both 
move together on to Puebla. So, of course, the order for 
marching to-day was countermanded until the express returns 
from Puebla. 

At noon we had a long drill, drilling in the manual of fire 
arms and field movements ; so, in case we should be so for- 
tunate at meeting the enemy on our way up that we will be 
prepared for them. 

In the evening we again buried eight soldiers ; one of them, 
I think, was Lloyd Coldier, son of John Coldier, of Lewis- 
town, Pa. He belonged to the Second Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers ; he was a man well liked in his company. 
All his company, besides many others, followed him to his 
final resting-place. If they keep dropping off this way 
(twenty in three days) there will not be many left to get back 
to see their wives, friends and sweethearts. They all die of 
that much feared disease, diarrhoea. There are no less than 
five hundred now in the hospital down with the same com- 
plaint, all belonging to the different regiments in our army. 
Oh ! How solemn and imposing is a military funeral ; many a 
poor soldier dies and is put under sod without anyone knowing 
anything about him, or even what regiment he belonged to. 
He is thrown into his shallow grave, with his blankets wrapped 
around him, without any coffin. 

Thursday ^ June 24, 1847. — This morning Col. Wynkoop 
received information through some of our spies where there 
was a large quantity of corn, barley, etc., stored away several 
miles from here, belonging to the Mexican Government. So, 
at nogn. Col. Wynkoop, accompanied by Capt. Walker's 



196 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

mounted riflemen, started for the place and took possession of 
it without any opposition, loaded it up into our wagons and 
returned with the spoils. 

This evening there were seven men buried. 

Friday, June 25, 1847. — This morning our company was 
detailed to go on guard. So at 10 o'clock, a. m., we formed 
guard and went on duty. 

At noon our Orderly Sergeant detailed two men (Alburtus 
Welsh and Henry Rosco) to dig a grave for one of our men 
named Thomas Williams who died last night, after which the 
funeral took place, and was followed to his grave by our company 
and Capt. Scott's company (H). Mr. Williams was one of the 
tallest and healthiest looking men in our company, but the 
exposure and laying out in " Camp Misery " fetched him. 

This evening five more died in the hospital and were 
buried. 

Saturday, June 26, 1847. — This morning it is rumored that 
our old friend, Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, had a fight with the 
citizens of Jalapa, and that Gen. Pillow was mortally wounded. 
I doubt it, and it is not believed by any of our officers or men, 
for this reason, the citizens of Jalapa are considered the 
friendliest people that we have met with in this country. 

There is now no garrison at Jalapa or any guarded post 
between Perote Castle and the city of Vera Cruz. Gen. 
George Cadwalader brought all with him, both sick and 
wounded. 

In the afternoon it was reported that the train was coming, 
so a party of our officers on horseback rode out to meet it, 
but found no train coming, and returned without seeing it. 

Five soldiers, one belonging to Co. G, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, were buried this evening. Our 
company attended the funeral of Co. G rnan. Our men are 
beginning to get impatient, on account of getting no news from 
Gen. Scott when we should move on to Puebla. We are all 
anxiously waiting for the express or messenger to arrive fi'orn 
Puebla. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 197 

Sunday, June 27, 1847. — This morning news is afloat that 
the train is now coming for sure. No doubt of it, but it may 
be a good ways off; although it is hourly looked for, it being 
now overdue, 

At noon a foraging party, accompanied by Capt. Samuel 
Walker and his company, started out to a small town, about 
ten miles from here, where it is reported that there is some 
corn and barley stored. 

In the evening they returned, bringing with them flour, corn, 
barley and some poultry. They report that there is plenty of 
provisions in the country. 

In the evening there were several more buried from the 
hospital. They are getting so numerous that I begin to get 
tired of talley. No train or sign of any train coming. Where 
is it? 

Monday, June 28, 1847. — This morning Col. Thomas Childs, 
of the United States Artillery, with a small division left their 
camp for Puebla. The Second Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers goes with them, they also took ammunition and 
specie along. We were all wishing the Paymaster had paid 
us poor soldiers off before we left. 

The train consists of about two hundred and fifty wagons, 
all loaded with ordnance stores. It is now supposed by our 
officers that the express rider was captured by the guerillas 
between this place and Puebla. We have a report that there 
is a large force of guerillas and lancers between Tepegahualco 
and Amozoquco. These guerillas have no doubt heard of 
our specie going up to Puebla, and will without a doubt make 
a desperate effort to capture the train, but Col. Childs left here 
well prepared to meet any emergency of an attack. Two 
batteries of Capt. Steptoes accompanies the train with plenty 
of grape and canister ; a kind of pills the Mexicans don't like. 
We were all wishing that we could have went along and be 
in the fight. 

In the evening five soldiers were buried from the hospital. 
Like the rest, they sleep the sleep that knows no waking. 



198 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Tuesday, June 29, 1847. — This morning Capt. Walker, with 
two hundred and fifty mounted men, left Perote to meet the 
train, which is already several days behind time. Should Capt. 
Walker come across the guerillas God help them, for he 
seldom brings in prisoners. The Captain and most all of 
his men are very prejudiced and embittered against every 
guerilla in the country. We hope that he will meet the train 
and bring it in speedily, for we are all anxious to march on, 
and also anxiously waiting for letters from home. 

This evening, as usual, several soldiers were buried from the 
hospital. 

Wednesday, June 30, 1847. — This morning Capt. Whipple, 
of the United States army, who died last evening, was buried. 
He was buried with all the honors of war. Our whole regi- 
ment, besides nearly all the officers, now remaining here, 
followed his remains. The flag of our country served 
for the pall, and the brass band that came up with the last 
train played on this solemn occasion. At the grave one of his 
fellow-officers read a few lines out of the New Testament, 
after which he spoke very highly of the deceased as a 
brave and gallant officer. He was attached to Gen. 
Worth's division, was at the capturing of Vera Cruz and at 
the battle of Cerro Gordo, and the capturing of Castle of 
Perote. He took sick when Gen. Worth marched on to 
Puebla, and he was too unwell to go along, and died in the 
ho.spital. It was the largest military funeral that has yet taken 
place since we are in Mexico. The Mexicans themselves took 
a deep interest in viewing the procession. Saying fino bcllo 
fimarel (fine, beautiful funeral). It was largely attended. 

In the afternoon Gen. Cadwalader, with a party of mounted 
soldiers and officers, left Perote to meet the train, but they soon 
returned with Capt. Walker and his men, whom they met on 
the way. Capt. Walker reports that the long-looked-for train 
is encamped to-night at Res Frio, and that it will be here in 
the morning. The reason of its long coming was owing to the 
(bad) Utah weather and wagons breaking down on the rough 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 199 

roads, and the mules and horses giving out. The news of the 
arrival of this train has put a cheerful look in every soldier's 
eye, and they are much rejoiced at the prospect of an early 
march. 

In the evening three soldiers from the hospital were 
buried. They are dropping off faster than they come. 

T/uirsday, July \, 1847. — This morning about 10 o'clock the 
train arrived at Perote. In fact the men were so glad that they 
went several miles to meet it and escort it into town. They 
bring a large amount of ammunition and other ordnance stores, 
and some two hundred and fifty wagons and about two thou- 
sand infantry. They report having been fired upon several 
times by the guerillas from behind the chaparral on the way, 
and on June 6th the enemy made a bold stand at Paso de Las 
Obejos, near El Encero, attacking the specie train, and the 
guards pouring volley after v^olley into their ranks, killing one 
man and wounding several others. This caused a panic among 
the new troops, who were about to run when Lieut. Henry 
Prince, of the Fourth United States Infantry, who had com- 
mand of the guard, sprang to the front with his drawn sword, 
and appealed to his men to rally around him, and charged upon 
the enemy with a yell, driving the guerillas in all directions. 
The whole train was under the command of Col. Mcintosh, 
and the division under the command of Gen. Pillow, of Cerro 
Gordo fame. 

In the afternoon, on dress-parade, orders were read to us to 
keep ourselves in readiness to march to-morrow morning for 
Puebla, 

In the evening the orders to march were countermanded by 
Gen. Pillow, until further orders. So the men are again a 
little discouraged, and are wondering when we will march. 
Three soldiers from the hospital were buried. 

Friday, July 2, 1847. — -This morning there is not much 
doing, except the soldiers are growling about our long delay 
at these quarters. 



200 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

At noon the drum beat for dress-parade, which caused great 
rejoicing among the men ; expecting that we were to get 
orders to march. Sure enough orders to march to-morrow 
morning were read to us. This is the fourth time we have 
received orders to this effect, and I should not be surprised to 
hear it countermanded before morning. 

In the evening several of our men called upon their scnoritas, 
bidding them farewell, and telling them that we are going to 
inarcha inanana. There were several buried from the hospital 
this evening. 

To-night the boys are all in high glee, singing " Santa Anna's 
leg he left behind him" at the battle of Cerro Gordo. 

Satiirday, July 3, 1847. — This morning after breakfast we 
were formed into line, and then marched to the plaza. At 8 
o'clock, A. M., we left the town of Perote and marched about 
twenty miles, passing several beautiful liacicndas. We passed 
around a rough looking mountain called Mt. Pizzarios, and 
went into camp at a small town named Tepegahualco (or Zem- 
pollan), which was, before Conqueror Cortez's time, a large 
and flourishing Indian city. It was the capital of an Indian 
tribe called Tepejacano (or Totonacs). They were the off- 
spring of the Aztec (or Mexican). They were part of the 
tribe that became dissatisfied with the rules and government 
at the city of Mexico ; they left the city and mostly all settled 
around Orazaba, Jalapa, Perote and other small towns. 

Cortez, on his march toward the city of Mexico, conquered 
the Tepejacanos and afterward killed nearly all its people, 
simply because they would not submit to his rules. 

Nothing is now left of the Tepejacano Indian capital, except 
a small village consisting mostly of mud-plastered shanties. 

It is also noted as the place where the revolutionist, Gen. 
Jose Maria Morelos was betrayed by one of his own men, Gen. 
Bustamante, on November 5, 18 15. From here he was taken, 
heavily chained, to the city of Mexico, and there shot in the 
back as a traitor, December 22, 1815. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 201 

On our march to-day we passed over a beautiful level piece 
of land, known as the Table Land of Mexico. It is nearly all 
highly cultivated in grain, corn, etc. Nothing of any import- 
tance occurred along the National Road. 

To-night it commenced to rain very hard, and having no 
tents or shelter, makes it so much the worse for the soldiers 
to sleep or rest. 

I made up my mind to hunt other quarters and took my 
knapsack and wet blanket and made a rush to get under a 
wagon, but the infernal mules kept kicking and squealing so that 
it was impossible for me to go to sleep. So, I used a flash 
word, vamose dc rclioccr (left for the ranche), but to my sur- 
prise I found them all occupied and full of our soldiers, and I 
was obliged to take up my bed again and walk to a little hilly 
place, so that the water may run off me. Here I took my 
blanket for a cover and the rainy sky for my shelter and this 
was my sleeping and resting apartment for the night. 

At 12 o'clock to-night we heard an alarm fired, but it proved 
to be a false one — John G. Craig, of Co. C, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, while on sentry at the sand hills 
back of Vera Cruz, shot a jack-ass, thinking that it was an en- 
emy approaching toward him. So, it may be with the sentry 
to-night, who heard a wolf coming through the chaparral, and 
no doubt thought that it was a Mexican coming and fired. 

Sunday, July 4, 1847. — This morning at 4 o'clock, we 
were aroused by the sound of drums ; we got up, and it being 
the Fourth of July we thought that we ought to have a little 
spree. The Mexican women came to our quarters directly 
after the blowing of the bugle, with their tortos, fritillos, fri- 
tura, pan and polque (cakes, fritters, fried meat, bread, etc.). 
Polque I am told, is a very good and healthy drink, you can get 
a mug or bowlful for dos clacos (three cents,) ; I drank an 
earthen jug full, and I thought it made me feel a little tipsy. 
Those who have the cash can indulge in these extras. 

After the line was formed, we started on our march. The 
sun arose beautifully over the hills on this Sabbath morning; 



202 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

in fact, I thought sometimes that I was again among the 
hills along the Juniata. We passed around the mountain 
Pizzarios, at the top of which we saw a large cross on the top of 
a high rock ; and about half way up the mountain stood a 
church with a big cross on top, surrounded with a fancy- 
fence made or planted of maguey plants. The question 
was asked, how do the people get up there to worship ? See- 
ing no road leading to it, some remarked " that possibly they 
might go up in a balloon." 

To-day on our march, we passed several crosses planted in 
the ground on the side of the National road ; in fact, we 
have noticed these crosses ever since we left Vera Cruz, 
planted along the road, and all wondered what they meant. 
I noticed that the Mexican men, but more particularly the 
women and the poor class in general, when they pass by 
these crosses, or in fact, some before they come to it, make 
some kind of Catholic signs, and the women mostly kneel 
before the cross and say a prayer, and some put flowers and 
wreaths on the cross. 

We were told that these crosses are to indicate that some 
passenger or traveler had been murdered in cold blood, and 
that they had been placed there in memory of the bloody 
deeds of the past. 

Our march to-day was a good deal like yesterday, over level 
plains and table lands which were mostly uncultivated, except 
now and then we saw a field of barleycorn. The road was 
very dusty ; but within a few miles of our encampment it com- 
menced to rain. We marched along rapidly in the pelting 
rain until we came to a small town and a stream of water 
called Ojo dc Aqua (the eye of water). 

In the evening the rain increased and continued so all night; 
and having no tents or shelter but the stormy and clouded 
heavens, I made a rush to get under some wagons, which 
kept a little rain off me, and the mules did not annoy me 
very much, as they were no doubt a little like myself, tired, 
and mighty glad to get a chance to rest. Oh, how many of 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 203 

us have thought of some of the Fourths of July we have 
spent at home, and how we are spending it now. 

To-night everything is quiet, don't even hear the mules 
squeal. 

Monday, July 5, 1847. — This morning about 4 o'clock we 
took up our line of march. This early movement was on ac- 
count of us going into camp so early yesterday afternoon. Our 
men who had to lay out in the rain last night were, of course, 
wet, but the sun rose clear and warm, which soon dried their 
clothes and blankets. 

The road for the first hour's march was wet and muddy. 
We marched c>n until we arrived at a lively town called 
Napaluco, here we halted for over half an hour, and filled our 
canteens with elegant aqua, our haversack with fresh pan, and 
any quantity of fruit, such as bananas, which grow very 
abundant in this section of ticrres calientcs. After having 
secured all our necessary wants we left, and continued in 
passing over the table-lands, and if only some of our Lan- 
caster County, Pa., farmers could see those large fields of corn, 
wheat, beans, barley, &c., all without any fences around them, 
it would astonish them. The fields are from four to eight miles 
long and from ten to twenty miles wide. Nothing to guard those 
large fields except a shepherd and his faithful dogs. In fact I 
saw no fences around any of the farms on our whole march. 
All watched and guarded by the shepherds and their dogs. 
We went into camp about i o'clock, p. m., at a small village or 
hacienda, and quartered under a large shed. 

Tuesday, July 6, 1847. — This morning we were aroused 
from our good night's sleep by the sound of Mr. William 
Byrely's bugle. 

After breakfast we left camp, and had not gone far before we 
met a lepcro, who said that Col. Childs, tvith his brig^ide, was 
just a little ahead of us, and that he expects to be attacked at 
the El Pinal Pass. We are now ordered to march a little 
faster, so as to catch -up to them before they arrive at the pass. 
We soon overtook them, and encamped at hacienda, San 
Bartols, near a small lake at the eds^e of Pinal Pass. 



204 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

In the evening I was put on picket-guard away up on the 
mountains, stationed at two cross-roads or Indian passways, 
here I was told to remain until morning, unless driven in by 
the enemy or something else. 

About 1 1 o'clock it commenced to rain, and darkened so 
that I could not see my hand before me, much more than see 
an enemy, which I was told were coming up all around me. 

At 12 o'clock the picket on my right sang out for the 
Sergeant of the guard, the Sergeant hurried to answer the call. 
He first came to me, and wanted to know what was the matter. 
I told him I was not the sentinel that called him, but the one 
on my right was. He started for him, and the sentinel told the 
Sergeant that he was twice attacked by the wolves, and was 
afraid to fire, for fear of rousing up the camp. The Sergeant 
then told him not to fire, unless his life was in danger. The 
wolves passed me several times. 

Wednesday, July 7, 1847. — This morning early I was re- 
leased from guard duty, wet and tieso (stiff) as a poker. After 
breakfast we left camp, and had not marched far, when a rumor 
went through our ranks that the prospect is that we will have 
a little fight. Sure enough, we heard the report of a musket, 
sounding as if it was in our advance. Our regiment was now 
ordered in the advance of the whole division. The riflemen 
were thrown out as skirmishers, and to explore the woods and 
hills. Three men from our regiment were detailed to climb up 
the hills and cliffs. I was one of the details appointed, but our 
Captain said that I should be excused on account of having 
been on guard all last night. 

Off they started, climbed the hills until they came to a place 
where the Mexicans had large stones set on crow-bars ready to 
tilt when the train entered the pass, but, strange to say, no 
Mexican could be se*en. Gen. Pillow, who had command of 
the division, thought that the enemy might be hiding behind 
the cliffs and chaparrals, and sent word to the skirmishers to 
stand by these massive pieces of rocks, and keej) a sharp look- 
out down the ravine. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 205 

However, the whole train passed on through the pass without 
the firing of a single gun ; but fi.irther ahead we did see some 
three hundred lancers and infantry crossing a plain on our 
right, going toward a small town far off the National Road. 

Gen. Pillow ordered the Third Dragoons to follow them, but 
seeing that the lancers were retreating pretty fast, counter- 
manded the order, saying that it was hardly worth while to 
follow them, but should keep an eye on them and watch their 
movements until the whole train passed out gf their sight, 
after which our skirmishers again joined their respective com- 
panies, and marched on until we came to a beautiful and 
thrifty little town named Amozoquco, the place where Gen. 
Wm. J. Worth, with his division, had a fight with the re- 
nowaied Santa Anna, who, as usual, fights and runs away. Our 
march to-day was over a very rough road, but well shaded and 
the sceneries are beautiful and enchanting. 

As soon as we arrived in camp the Mexican huckster women 
came around our quarters wanting to sell to us tortos fritillos, 
fritiira, etc. Of course, those who had the cash bought, and 
those who had none said, " no carccer.'" 

Tliursday,Jnly 8, 1847. — This morning we did not start so 
early on account of having only ten miles to go, so a party of 
us took a walk around the town. We noticed some beautiful 
and well built houses, one and two stories high ; it has a neat 
and clean appearance, and a fine large plaza where its markets are 
held, as well as political and revolutionary meetings. Also a 
fine, large (Catholic of course,) church along the plaza, which 
like all the villages we have passed, is situated in the centre of 
the town, and I have seen more priests and nuns this morning 
than I have seen since we left Vera Cruz. How all these 
priests and nuns make a living is a mystery to me. Strange 
in all these small towns you can see no burial grounds, and 
what they do with their dead is a mystery. 

About 8 o'clock, A. M., we left Amozoquco and passed 
several beautiful country seats, or so-called Iiacicndas, and 
some magnificent and well cultivated farms ; in fact, they 



206 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

remind me of some of our Lancaster county farms, except 
that these are larger and are mostly worked by peasants, 
who are no more than our slaves in the Sunny South. 

Before we arrived at Puebla City, we saw some of the prettiest 
views that our eyes had ever beheld ; the mountains and 
valley, and the city of Puebla at a distance, it reminded me 
of Philadelphia more than any city I have seen since I left, 
with the exception that Puebla has no such large rivers run- 
ning around it as Philadelphia. 

About 1 1 o'clock, A. M., we entered the city of Puebla, (in 
the Spanish tongue Puebla dc los Aiigc/s), we were first taken 
to the St. Augustine church, stacked arms; and, of course, ex- 
pecting to make this church our head-quarters, broke ranks 
and selected our bunks, after which several of us took a walk 
around the city viewing the fine, large stores and other 
curiosities. 

The Ptiblicaiios dc Mcxicatios were all anxious to see the 
new arrivals, they having been informed that our regiment 
was a whole division of about eight thousand men, (in a 
pig's eye.) 

In the evening one of our wagon masters died, and was 
buried near this church. It is surprising when we look over 
these vast assemblies of people to think how such a small 
force of two thousand five hundred men and fifteen pieces of 
artillery, under the command of Gen. Worth, could enter a 
city of a population of nearly one hundred thousand without 
the slightest opposition, for when we entered the city we saw 
enough of agrazicntos (greasers,) to drive our army into the 
Gulf of Mexico. 

This evening it is rumored that Gen. Scott some time ago 
demanded to be recalled from the command of the army, he 
being much dissatisfied with the Government in the way of 
sending him re-enforcements by dribs and by interfering with 
his plans of operation in capturing the City of Mexico, but 
the President refused to comply with his request, saying to 
withdraw him from his army, would demoralize the army now 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 207 

under his command, and give encouragement to the enemy. 
So Gen. Scott will have either to remain with his army or 
resign his high command in the United States Army, which I 
think he will not ; so he will have to fight his enemies in the 
rear as well as in the front. 

The Mexicans have a provcrbio^ (proverb), of Puebla City. 
That the large cathedral and other holy buildings were more 
improved at night than in day-time, and they all say that the 
angels did it. So this accounts for its being called Los Angels 
Puebla. No wonder it is full of Catholic priests. 

To-night for the first time since we left the Castle of Perote, 
we sleep under cover, on a nicely paved floor. 

Friday, July 9, 1847. — This morning we were aroused by a 
great ringing of bells. I thought first that the Mexicans were 
trying to scare us out of the city by ringing and deafening 
our ears, but, fortunately, I soon learned that it was a common 
occurrence among the church-going people of Puebla. Every 
morning and evening you can see the people going in droves 
to church, but they all soon come out again. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., we were ordered to pack up and 
move our quarters to a large amphitheatre at Plaza de Toras, 
used as a pit in which to have bull fights. We soon arrived in 
the building. It is a fine building four stories high, and rounded 
like the National Circus building, corner of Ninth and Chest- 
nut streets, Philadelphia, Pa. The whole building is built of 
wood, capable of holding fifteen thousand spectators, and I am 
told that when they have popular toras to fight it is full to over- 
flowing. The building occupies a half square of ground, and 
is surrounded by a large well-built and cemented wall ten feet 
high. These are the best quarters we have had since we have 
been in this country. 

Fresh bread and beef to-night. 

Saturday, July 10, 1847. — This morning, as usual, ringing of 
church bells, and the way they ring it sounds as if one 
was trying to beat the other. I like to hear them, it puts me 



208 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

in mind, when I was a little boy, of the ringing of the bells of 
the Trinity Lutheran Church, of Lancaster, Pa., except not so 
early, nor so numerous. 

After breakfast the soldiers went to work, fixing up their 
quarters, washing and cleaning their clothing. 

At noon Lieut-Col. Samuel W. Black issued orders for all 
of his regiment to whiten their belts and clean their muskets, 
and brush themselves a little, so as to look like soldiers, and 
not like guerillas. [Laughter.] Look like soldiers from the 
old Keystone State. He said that he knew that we were all 
badly off for clothing and shoes. We have our first suits yet, 
but if there is any to be had he would try to get them for us, 
[Cheers.] 

In the afternoon Joseph C. Taylor, John Newman, Alburtus 
Welsh and myself went strolling around the city, and while 
looking around to see the curiosities we noticed a mob of 
agrazicnto gathering down the street. Not knowing what these 
blanket gentlemen gathered for, we foolishly presented them 
with a round of musketry over their heads, which caused them 
to vamose for other parts of the city. This report of musketry 
started our patrol after us, and I assure you if you ever saw 
anybody run it was us four. After we got to our quarters, and 
put our muskets away, nobody knew of any soldiers being out 
or just came in. The patrol left with a flea in their ear. 

Sunday , July ii, 1847. — This morning Alburtus Welsh, Bob 
Eurick and myself, agreed to go to the Catholic Cathedral, 
which stands in the centre of the city. After we got into the 
church we looked around, and I was astonished to see the 
manoeuvring of the so-called Christians, not being accustomed 
to the Catholic rights. The people were constantly going in 
and out of church, but not without first going through their 
religious performances. 

We walked around and examined the paintings, etc., and 
found some of the most rare and richest paintings that can be 
seen in the world. Some are as old as Methuselah. After 
spending several hours we left and went to the plaza, or square, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 209 

as it is called in Philadelphia. Here is where the market is 
held, which, on Sunday after church hours, is the greatest 
market day in Mexico ; also for all kinds of amusements. 
While looking around to see some of the numerous kinds of 
vegetables, etc., my attention was drawn to a crowd near by, 
and being anxious to know what it meant, I went to see, 
and rushed right through the crowd until I got into the 
middle. Here, to my surprise, I saw that the Mexicans 
had two game cocks held in their hands ready to go at it. 
My old friend. Bob Eurick, of Little York, Pa., rushed in and 
said, aqtiestc quercr Jio ui dcbido (this will not do), that it was no 
work for Sunday, and he took one chicken, or cock, and flung 
it out of the surrounding crowd and pit, but did not get a 
chance at the other one, for the Mexican nmbre^ took it and 
ran in all directions, after which we returned to our quarters, 
laughing at the idea of us breaking up the Mexican cock-fight. 

Most every comrade I meet is speaking in the highest terms 
of our new quarters for cleanliness and healthfulness, 

We are not troubled with that Spanish race called fleas, 
which has been a constant terror to our rest and sleep. 

At almost every place where we were obliged to camp, there 
often was little or no water to quench the thirst of either 
man or beast, and scarcely anything to eat, and yellow-fever, 
fdiarrhpea and guerillas, constantly reduced our ranks. This is 
surely a great relief. 

Monday, July {2, 1847. — This morning we were aroused by 
the sweet sound of a full brass band of music. We instantly 
rushed to the froqt of our quarters to see them pass, and as- 
certain the object. We soon learned the cause of the band 
playing so early the national airs of our country. It was two 
companies of dragoons, accompanied by Mr. N. P. Trist, our 
Arrjerican Minister, on their way to the capital of Mexico, to 
see whether the Mexican Government will receive him and 
hi^ negotiation for peace. 

We all hope that he may be successful in his mission. It 
will be remembered that Mr. Nicholas P. Trist arrived at 
14 



210 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Jalapa about the 14th of May last with despatches and letters 
to the head of the Mexican Government at their capital with 
power to make peace, and demanded an escort to take him 
to the city of Mexico, which Gen. Winfield Scott refused, 
saying that an escort at that time would be utterly impossible 
to make its way through to the capital, and that his forces at 
that time was too weak to make an escort. Many of our sol- 
diers laughed at the idea of our Government sueing for peace, 
and only a handful of our soldiers in their land ; but if we can 
get peace now, fair and square, in God's name let us have it, 
and if not, war to the knife. So I say, poor, miserable, de- 
graded Mexicans, including priests, clergymen and nuns, 
which are all very numerous and more than I have ever seen 
in all the days of my life, the olive branch is now extended 
fair and honorably to you, and if you all know what is good for 
yourselves and your country, you will, no doubt, accept it, and 
if not, more bloody work will have to be done. 

This evening I heard the roll of the muffled drum and the 
mournful music passing our quarters, taking a jewel out of the 
ranks of some regiment or company to his final resting-place. 
" Peace to his ashes." I am glad to see our soldiers, who are 
buried here, have neat coffins and receive a decent burial, 
which I regret to say was not the case at the Castle of Perote ; 
not a single coffin did we see there. 

We had for supper frescon carnro (fresh mutton), issued to 
us as well as fresh bread. Oh ! We are living high now, but 
don't know how long it will last. 

Tuesday, July 13, 1847. — This morning our company was 
ordered to mount guard. My post was at the fountain in the 
Alameda Park, with strong instructions not to let any Mexicans 
fool around it. 

The general conversation among our soldiers to-day is all 
about Mr. Trist, in regard to the negotiation of peace. That 
our government must be getting tired of the war. Others 
have it that this is only a get off to prolong the war, and that 
if our government was so anxious to push for peace, why did 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 211 

they not send re-enforcements, according to the promise made 
to Gen. Scott before he sailed for Vera Cruz, and crush the 
war at once!'. But, oh ! no ; they don't want the war ended so 
soon. Somebody wants to make a Httle more money before it 
is ended. 

It is a well-known fact that if Gen. Scott had about five 
thousand more troops at the time the battle of Cerro Gordo 
was fought we could have marched on to the Halls of Monte- 
zumas without the firing of a single gun or the loss of a single 
man, but jealousness is the cause. 

In the evening Gen. Worth's band played in the park near 
where I was stationed, which had the effect of bringing a large 
crowd of scnoritas, senors and umbras to the park. They 
seemed delighted with the music, and their whole conversation 
was Americanos mucJio hiicno. 

The weather being very pleasant, had the effect of bringing 
out the wealthy and foreign nobilities with their splendid 
coaches, and blooded horses and mules attached. They 
occupied the road or drive around the park, which is about 
one mile and a half in circumference, dashing at full speed, 
followed behind by a ranchcro or guerilla, and probably a 
gambler, also on a spirited mustang, no doubt stolen from some 
of the farmers, his own countryman. Their saddles are nearly 
all splendidly mounted with silver, and some with gold, and 
other showy equipments, costing from four to eight hundred 
dollars a piece, and they are the finest saddles I ever saw. We 
have none like them in the United States. I am informed that 
they are easier riding saddles than ours, and I am beginning to 
think that there must be some truth in it, for I noticed many 
of our officers haying these saddles. 

About 8 o'clock this evening the band serenaded Gen. 
Worth's headquarters, and never did I listen to better music. 
It raised quite a crowd in the neighborhood, and the seiioritas 
were out on their balconies chatting, laughing, talking, and, of 
course, srnqking their puros and cigaritos. 



212 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Being relieved from guard-duty, John Newman and myself 
went to the theatre where they were playing a piece called 
" Family Jars." This is the first theatre that I have visited since 
I have been in Mexico, and I must say that they fully 
compare with our theatres in Philadelphia ; the house was full. 

During the day, I am told, there were six of the South 
Carolina Regiment died, and were all buried this evening. 
This regiment came out fifteen hundred strong, and now I 
don't believe they can muster more than half that number. 
Exposure has done the deed. 

Wednesday, July 14, 1847. — This morning about 10 o'clock, 
Lieut.-Col. Black formed our battalion into line, after which he 
marched us out to a beautiful green commons, there to be re- 
viewed by Gen. Quitman ; here we waited for about two 
hours, when at last he sent word by his Orderly Sergeant that 
we will have to postpone the review for to-day, as he did not 
feel well enough to review us. Then you should have heard 
the boys swear, for keeping us standing in the hot sun for 
nothing. We returned to our quarters growling. 

In the afternoon one of our officers belonging to the New 
York regiment, got wild and crazy drunk, and with a drawn 
sword ran the Mexicans in every direction. He was finally 
taken by the guard, and then taken to the Officer of the Day, 
who reprimanded him for his bad conduct. If this should 
have been a private, there would have been no pity, nor repri- 
manding, but the cry would have been " put the drunken 
loafer in the guard-house." And probably, if he made any 
unusual noise, he would have been bucked and gagged to the 
floor. Such is the punishment of private soldiers, if they 
don't behave themselves, but officers go free. 

This evening I wrote five letters to different friends of mine 
in the United States. One— the second — to my brpther 
Frederick, as follows :-t-. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 213 

PuEBLA City, Mexico, 1 
July 14, 1847. J 

Dear Brother: — In my last letter to you, on the 17th of 
April, day before the battle of Cerro Gordo, I mentioned that 
if I fell at the enemy's hand that you would hear of it. I 
have no doubt that you have read the full report of the battle 
of Cerro Gordo ; therefore, it is hardly worth while for me to 
go into any details of that memorable day, but merely tell you 
the facts. The report of the repulse of Gen, Pillow's volunteer 
division is utterly false, from the beginning to the end. The 
volunteer division, under the command of Brig.-Gen. Pillow, 
were not defeated, nor repulsed, as they have it. Nay ! they 
held the position assigned to them firmly, and were not driven 
an inch from their perilous position, and stuck to it to the 
last. When we were first put in our line of battle, in front of 
the enemy's batteries, our officers had strict orders not to 
charge on the Mexican's batteries until the word charge came, 
either from Gens. Patterson or Pillow. These orders were all 
strictly obeyed, with the exception of Col. Haskell, of the 
Second Tennesseeans, and Capt. Charles Naylor, of the 
Second Pennsylvania, who, contrary to instructions, with about 
two hundred men, charged on the enemy's batteries ; and, of 
course, were repulsed. And I, for one, protest against 
having this tnanchar (stigma) cast upon the whole volunteer 
division, on account of these cra::y fools, who disobeyed 
orders. 

The victory of Cerro Gordo was complete; The well- 
equipped and magnificently uniformed army of Gen. Santa 
Anna's was routed in all directions, and Col. Harney's 
dragoons pursued the flying enemy hotly, and cut down their 
scattered columns until they reached Jalapa. 

The munitions of war, taken from the enemy at this battle, 
were destroyed, the muskets were broken upon the rocks, the 
iron guns spiked and pretty much all the ammunition destroyed, 
as we had no wagons to take them with us. 



214 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

You will perceive by this letter that we have advanced 
further into the interior of Mexico. We left Camp Plan del 
Rio, April 20th, and all along the National Road, from the 
foot of Cerro Gordo to Gen. Santa Anna's hacienda, the 
roadside was strewn with the dead Mexicans, and horses and 
mules ; and at Gen. Santa Anna's headquarters, near the 
rancheros, where Gen. Twigg's army overtook the flying 
Mexicans, they lay thick cveryzuhere, and the Jiedioiidcs 
(stench), and a more horrid scene I don't wish to see again. 
A great many are still lying wounded and begging for help 
and aq7ia. They have our sympathy and feeling, which all 
true soldiers should have for one another, and, especially, 
when fallen wounded in the defense of their country. 

The first day's march we encamped at El Encero, the sum- 
mer residence of Gen. Santa Anna ; and a beautiful place it 
is, with plenty of good aqua, but the buildings are poor. The 
second day's march was through a delightful country. We 
entered and marched through the city of Jalapa, the streets were 
crowded with citizens, and the ladies and gentlemen were 
standing on the balconies and in doorways, some waving their 
hands and handkerchiefs, which was not the case at Vera 
Cruz. We marched through the city, and went into camp 
about three miles from Jalapa. Here we encamped from the 
2 1st of April until the 7th of May, without any tents or 
shelter, and being the rainy season made it very disagreeable 
for our men. Our knapsacks were our ahnoJiado (pillow), the 
wet ground was our bedtick, the wet blankets our cover and 
the blue, cloudy, rainy and threatening skies was our shelter 
for nearly one month. 

Thus you can imagine yourself that our quarters were any- 
thing but pleasant, and during our encampment here many of 
our soldiers took sick, and many soon afterward died for the 
want of shelter and medical treatment. 

We left camp on the 7th of May, and marched over a very 
hilly and rough road, up hill nearly all the time, passing 
through the dangerous pass of La Hoya, and arrived safely at 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 215 

the strong and well-constructed Castle of Perote, and camped 
in the Castle, which surrendered on the 22d of April to Gen. 
Worth's division without any resistance from the enemy, with 
all its heavy artillery, ammunition and over five hundred 
muskets, carbines, escopets, etc. Here we remained from May 
8th until July 3d, with good quarters, water and fresh beef It 
was afterwards made the headquarters for the sick and 
wounded soldiers of our army, and there were at one time 
over five hundred men in this hospital with that disease called 
diarrhoea, which disease takes more to their graves than the 
enemy's bullets. Many of the poor soldiers who died here 
were buried without any military escort or any honors of war 
bestowed upon them. As soon as they died they were 
wrapped up in their blankets and taken to the dead-house, and 
from there, soon afterwards, were carried or carted out to the 
place selected for burial, and were then thrown two, and some- 
times three, into one hole dug for that purpose. There were 
no head-boards to mark the names of these gallant men who 
died of wounds and diseases contracted in this country. 

During our encampment at Perote we were constantly on 
the National Road, and other roads, hunting and fighting 
guerillas. We had several hard skirmishes with them, one 
near La Hoya Pass and Las Vegas, where we put to flight, 
with considerable loss, over two thousand Mexicans. This 
was on June 20th. These guerillas are composed of men, 
mounted on spirited mustangs, well-equipped with rifles, 
pistols, carbines, daggers, lances and lassoes. They generally 
have good and brave officers, but the rest of them are the 
most wretched and desperate ruffians in the country, such as 
assassins and pardoned felons, pardoned on the terms of joining 
the guerillas. They are mostly divided into different bands, 
and each party is accompanied by a Catholic priest, there 
being no other religion allowed in this country. This priest's 
duty is to first swear each one upon the cross to watch every 
chance, if they can see their way clear, to pursue the enemy 
(us Americans) to their death, their motto is, " No quarters to 
the Yankees." 



216 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

They generally put themselves on or by the road-side to at- 
tack provision and specie trains and murder the soldiers who 
may, from fatigue, lag behind our army ; and sometimes they 
even cut our men's throat, heart and tongue out, hanging them 
on a limb of a tree right over their bodies ; they also stop 
and murder our scouts, messengers, etc. They are promised 
one-half of all the provisions and specie they can plunder 
from our army. 

This is the character of the guerillas, which, no doubt, you 
have read a good deal of They carry a flag with cross-bones 
and skull, with the words, " We give no quarters." They 
have now succeeded in cutting off our communication between 
here and Vera Cruz, but it is rumored that Gen. Frank Pierce 
has left Vera Cruz with fifteen hundred men, who will, if they 
come across them, strike terror to these national licensed high- 
way robbers. Then our communication will again be open. 

During the skirmish with the infernal guerillas, we have 
suffered more frightfully than at the battle of Cerro Gordo 
with the regular Mexican army. In fact, we would sooner 
face ten of the regular Mexican army than one of these 
outlawed guerillas. 

We left the Castle of Perote July 3 and marched over a 
sandy plain road, which looks to me as though the sea had 
once rolled its course that way, being nearly all covered with 
all kinds of shells and pumice stones. Some of our men had 
an idea that they could make pipes out of these stones, and 
took some along to try the experiment, and some have since 
made good pipes. 

We marched about twenty miles, passed around Mt. Piz- 
zaros, and went into camp at Tepegahualco, a dark dismal 
town. It has several large inns, or messons, which are for the 
accommodation of the traveling community. They are only 
one-story high, but well and strongly built. The whole build- 
ing is enclosed with a high stone fence ; the main entrance, or 
gateway, is near the dwelling, and at nights, after all the pas- 
sengers are in, the gates are shut and well fastened, for fear of 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 217 

robbers, which are very numerous in that section of the 
country. They have good water and plenty of polque to 
drink. The water is drained from the mountains, which 
causes it to be fresh and cold. The polque is the favorite drink 
among the Mexicans, and especially among the poor class, and 
it seems to be their principal product in this immediate neigh- 
borhood. 

Next day's march was over what is called Ticrra Tcinplada 
(Table Land), passing some splendid gimnjos (farms,) and over a 
road which, at some places, was gradually ascending, and that on 
looking back sometimes from the head of our division, our 
train of wagons could be seen for miles in the rear. The 
scenery was, indeed, beautiful ; splendid cultivated campos 
(fields) of wheat, corn, barley, etc. These granjos (farms) have 
no fences ; nothing but a shepherd and his dogs watches the 
farm and stock on the place. 

On the next two days' march it rained and hailed mostly all 
the time, and having no tents or shelter, it was anything but 
agreeable. 

The next day we marched in poor spirits on account of our 
exposure, but in the afternoon the sun gradually made its ap- 
pearance, which had the effect to cheer the boys up. 

In the evening we overtook Col. Thomas Childs' brigade, 
encamped at, or near. El Pinal Pass, where, it is rumored, that 
the enemy intended to attack our division when we would pass 
through. 

The next day our regiment was put in the advance of the 
whole division. We marched through the pass, which is sev- 
eral miles long, looking and hunting for the fanfarron 
(boasting) Mexicans over hills and dales without seeing any 
near enough to make an attack, or even to have a shot at 
them. 

The Mexicans had the inonto)i (hill) well fortified, such as 
having large rocks ready to roll dov/n the hill upon the 
Yankees' heads, who may pass below. We marched on until 
we came to the town named Amozoquco. Here we had the 



218 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

first right conception of the character of the Mexican people 
I have often tliought that our villages were beautiful, but for 
beauty, neatness and cleanliness, I am afraid the Mexicans will 
carry of the prize. 

The town is about two miles square. It is laid out a -ood 
deal like Lancaster, Pa.; the houses are built principalfy of 
bnck, laid in mortar, in the shape of our pavement in our 
towns and cities. It contains a population of about ten 
thousand, and the people seem to be thriving and persevering. 
The next day we left Amozoquco, and passed over a beau- 
tiful rolling country of great fertility in truck gardens and 
vegetables, which supplies the inhabitants of Puebla with 
food In the rear of Puebla are hills and mountains, some of 
which are covered with snow nearly the whole year around 
Behind which many of the most prosperous and enterprising 
people in Mexico, fled and hid from being persecuted and mas"- 
sacred by an infuriated mob; also some of the most out- 
rageous wretches in the world for fear of getting their just 
dues. The city of Puebla should be called the " city of spires 
and domes," for it is full of both. 

We marched to a church (a good place for soldiers to go 
to quarter); the haciendas and houses in this city are like all the 
rest we have saw that are of any note, (particularly halls and inns) 
built hke a barrack, with high, strong, stone walls, havin<^ 
big gates, doors, bars, hinges and bolts like a prison The 
roofs are bomb proof, with battlement walls, all built to pro 
tect themselves from being robbed and murdered, not by us 
Yankees, but by their own people. 

In the evening we were taken from the church to the bull 
nng, which is built in the shape of a theatre or circus ; it is called 
llaza dc loras, (Bull Square). This building is built entirely 
of wood, four stories high, but without a roof, that is the rino- 
part; but the boxes are all closed. It is surrounded by a 
cemented stone wall ten feet high, and is capable of con- 
taining fifteen thousand pcoi)lc. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 219 

Opposite this Plaza dc Toras, is the Alameda Park. This 
is truly one of the most beautiful places I have yet seen. It 
is well shaded with different kinds of trees, and richly laid out 
with flowers and shrubs. The walks and drives are all hand- 
somely laid out with beautiful and well adorned fountain jets 
and statues, throwing out delicious water, something like 
Franklin Square, in Philadelphia, Pa., only more tastefully 
ornamented. 

Puebla City is like all Catholic cities; a city of idlers, loung- 
ers, Icpcros and ladnnies, because it is a city of numerous 
churches, priests and bishops. Every believer of the Catholic 
religion attends church regularly. 

The Roman Catholic spirit or religion, was first established 
in this country by Conqueror Cortez ; and its bishops are 
now under the government of the Pope of Rome. No other 
religion or institution is tolerated in all Mexico. And the 
Catholic people (or to use plain words). Catholic bishops, 
have succeeded in preventing the people from venerating any- 
thing else to this day (1847). The benches or chairs are 
of the ordinary description, and serve the purposes of pews. 
I have been in some churches where there were no pews or 
chairs at all, and the worshippers kneel on the cold stone 
floor (both rich and poor alike) ; but always found their 
altars and their ornaments beyond description. 

History tells us that this city was built by Sebastian 
Reamires. It was built in the year 1 531, and it was called by 
the Spaniards the First Heaven. It was the second city built 
by the Spaniards, Vera Cruz being the first, the rest being all 
Indian towns. 

In the year 1550 the Cholucoans, once an independent and 
powerful people of the rulers of Mexico, moved from Choluco 
to Puebla, and the selection and situation does credit to the 
first builders. It is a splendid and well-planned city ; situated 
in the midst of a large valley. 

Its chief edifice is the Cathedral, there are other fine large 
churches, such as the P^ranciscos, Augustinos, Capuchinos, 



220 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

San Jose, and several other large buildings of note, such as 
the Guadaloupa Church, on the heights, Quartel of San Jose, 
City Hall, Fort Loretto. 

It once contained a large free school for poor Indian children, 
but it has since been converted into a nunnery or convent. 

From Vera Cruz to Puebla there are two roads, one the 
Orazaba Road, which leads through Cordova and TlascuUa. 
Cordova is where the renowned coffee grows. The other road, 
which we took, leads through Jalapa, Perote and other small 
towns. 

Jalapa derives its name from a drug plant called jalapa, 
which grows very abundant in this section of the country. It 
is also renowned for the splendid view of the snow-covered 
volcano Orazaba. 

Puebla is, I believe, the largest city between Vera Cruz and 
the capital of Mexico, and is second in political and com- 
mercial importance in Mexico. It has a splendid, large 
Cathedral, the father over all the churches in this city. It is 
truly a magnificent building, built in 1649 of free stones, and 
takes up a whole square of ground. It has a high steeple, 
from it is a splendid view of the historic volcano mountain 
Orazaba, Popocatepetl and Malinche. 

The inside of this great Cathedral I shall not attempt to 
describe, but just give a little idea. The pillars are covered 
with crimson and velvet. The floor is of large white and 
blue marble flag stones. The altar is the greatest piece of 
work I have ever seen, richly ornamented with gold, silver and 
precious stones. 

The chandelier, weighing several tons, depending from the 
dome, has five hundred wax lights, and the gold is valued at 
;^25,ooo. And I am informed by the Mexicans that this is the 
greatest and strictest church in all Mexico. 

There is a certain time in the day when the church 
bell of this cathedral rings, most all its people, it matters 
not where they arc, tumble down on their knees and go 
through rcliLHous sijzns. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 221 

Puebla is about half as large as Philadelphia, and contains a 
population of nearly one hundred thousand. I was really 
surprised to think that Gen. Worth, with four thousand 
soldiers and a few pieces of artillery, could enter such a large 
city without some opposition from its hostile population. But 
these people have heard that our gallant and bold little army, 
under Gen. Scott, had safely landed without opposition on 
their shores and captured the city of Vera Cruz and its strong 
fortress of San Juan de Ulloa, the great and triumphant 
victory over their favorite Gen. Santa Anna, at the battle of 
Cerro Gordo, the capturing of Jalapa and Castle of Perote, all 
this was constantly before their minds, and, no doubt, thought 
it was no use to make a stand or show any hostile opposition 
to the bold invaders. 

The houses are mostly two and three stories high, built 
principally of stone and some rough cast. Some have their 
fronts neatly ornamented with fine carvings, and painted. 

Most all have balconies, which, in the evening, is mostly 
occupied with scnoritas and iiinbrcs, laughing and talking, 
and of course smoking their pnros and cigaritos ; pjiros means 
a cigar, and cigaritos means a little fine cut tobacco, nicely 
rolled up in a piece of white paper, about the length and thick- 
ness of a child's little finger. One cigar has more tobacco in 
it than ten or fifteen cigaritos, and don't cost half as much. 

The streets are about the same width as those in Philadel- 
phia, with the exception that the gutters, which run through 
the middle of the streets, which I think is an improvement. 
The side-walks are paved with large flag stones. The streets 
are kept clean and the city is generally healthy. 

Outside of the city it is like all large cities, being built up 
with huts and ranches, where the poor class dwell. The city 
is filled with mendicants (beggars) ; some with little or no 
clothing on them, both men and women, all they have is a 
little dingy old blanket or a piece of rag to cover their naked- 
ness, and some standing on the corners of streets with old 
hats in their hands, asking for clacos (pennies), and at the same 
time stealing anything they could get their hands on. 



222 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The main plaza takes up a whole square of ground. And 
it is the place where the citizens hold their open meetings, and 
markets. Their largest market is on Sunday, directly after 
church hours, and any article that you could think off can be 
had ; it beats the world for confectionery. 

You will see that I have been engaged in two battles, both 
gloriously fought and victoriously won. But where the third 
one will be is hard for me to say, but I think it will not be 
until we arrive near the capital of Mexico, where they are now 
concentrating all their forces and strengthening all the ap- 
proaching points to the ancient city. They might just as well 
dispense with the trouble of adding to the fortifications, for it 
will be something like " love's labor lost," for when the re- 
enforcements arrive and get ready to go on, these obstacles 
will be trifles. At present our tiierzas (forces) are too small 
to make any further advance into the interior of Mexico, 
therefore, we will have to await the arrival of troops from the 
United States, which are coming slowly. 

Gen. Scott and his little army of brave men, are all anxious 
to march on, but it seems that our Government is constantly 
throwing obstacles in Gen. Scott's plan of capturing the capi- 
tal, which looks as if our Government was trying to degrade 
him from his high position. 

They have sent Mr. N. P. Trist, a Commissioner to negotiate 
for peace, which is, in my opinion, all a humbug. To tell you 
plain facts, our Government don't wish the war over so soon, 
for our contractors and the thieving Quartermasters have not 
robbed the Government and the poor soldiers out of their 
rations enough. This cry of peace, peace, is only to blindfold 
the people, and is firing in our rear. The Mexicans will not at 
this time make peace with our Government, the capital will 
have to be taken first, before the Mexican Government will be 
ready to talk of peace ; and, mark you, this will be the case, 
for the Mexicans will listen to no peace proposition until the 
capital of Mexico is taken. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 223 

Mr. N. P. Trist, is, I am informed, now on his way to the 
capital, but I'll bet the price of an orange that he will come 
back with a flea in both of his cars, for the Mexican Congress 
have declared not to make or listen to any peace as long as 
we have only nine thousand soldiers in their country. 

On our last march hither we were subject to the most 
fatiguing hardships and suffering. We had no tents, besides 
most of our men were short of clothing. It rained some time, 
snowed most all the time, in consequence many of our men 
got sick, and had to crawl towards the hospital, where many 
of the poor soldiers died, dying faster than new recruits 
arrive, but such is the life of a soldier. 

The agricultural or farming implements in this country are 
the poorest and most miserable tools I ever saw ; for instance, 
their plows are the same pattern as the Egyptians used over 
five thousand years ago, it consists of a cjrooked stick or a fork 
of a tree, with an iron point nailed or tied to it with a piece 
of rawhide, and a small handle for the plowman to steer with 
and a pole to hitch a yoke of oxen to. This so-called plow 
will scratch a furrow in the soil three or four inches deep and 
about the same in width. The harrow is a branch of a tree 
without the leaves, a yoke of oxen hitched to this is all that 
is done to the ground, the soil being very rich. The furniture 
used in respectable houses is mostly of the mahogany pattern, 
and generally somewhere in the casa is a family altar contain- 
ing an image of the Virgin and Christ crucified. 

I will now send you the song of our soldiers, made up since 
the battle of Cerro Gordo. The original song is " The Girl I 
Left Behind Me." And you, no doubt, know that the air of 
this popular song is sung and played by the drums, fifes and 
bands during an embarkation of an English or American 
army, when about to open on a foreign war. The Mexicans, 
doubtless thinking that there is some virtue in it, have, since 
the battle of Cerro Gordo, adopted it into their own army, but 
we, in compliment to Gen. Santa Anna, call it " The Leg I 
Left Behind Me," as follows : — 



224 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

I am stumpless quite since from the shot 

Of Cerro Gordo peggin', 
I left behind, to pay Gen. Scott, 

My grub, and gave my leg in. 

I dare not turn to view the place 

Lest Yankee toes should find me. 
And mocking shake before my face 

The Leg I Left BeJdnd Me, 

At Buena Vista I was sure 

That Yankee troops must surrender, 

And bade my men hurrah, for you're 
All going on a bender. 

That all my hopes and plans were dashed, 

My scattered troops remind me, 
But though I there got soundly thrashed, 

I left no leg behind me. 

Should Gen. Taylor of rny track get scent, 
• Or Gen. Scott beat up my quarters, 

I may as well just be content 
To go across the waters. 

But should that my fortune be. 

Fate has not quite resigned me, 
For in the museum I will see 

The Leg I Left Behind Me. 

This tune is played most every time the drums, fifes and 
bands play, and it seems to be the favorite tune for us boys. 
I have written a great deal more than I first intended to write, 
but I will now come to a close by saying, that if I was at 
home you would not catch me out here to fight old Santa 
Anna. It also gives me pleasure to state that my health has 
been, since I have been in this tierres calientes, remarkably 
good. I weigh more now than I ever did, one hundred and 
fifty-five pounds, which is fifteen pounds more than I ever 
weighed. It makes no difference how much I suffer, so long 
as I keep my health and strength I will not complain. 

Your brother, J. J. O. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 225 

Thursday, July 15, 1847. — This morning my old esteemed 
friend, Jacob Banner, left for the hospital on account of being 
very ill with the diarrhoea, and I am afraid that he will never 
leave that institution alive. 

This afternoon the artillerists drilled in the square in front of 
the Alameda Park, and made some splendid movements in the 
way of drilling. 

This evening some of our fellows went on a spree, and 
struck a dragoon, the abused dragoon, with the Captain and 
several privates, came to our quarters in a rage of fury, and 
wanted to search for the man who struck the dragoon, but our 
soldiers told the Captain and his men that they would stand 
no such nonsense, and that they had better leave, or else they 
might get more. This raised the Captain and his men, they 
drew their swords and made a big fuss. They went to see 
our Colonel, who just laughed at them, and said that he was 
very sorry for it ; they then left with a flea in their ears. 

Friday^ July 16, 1847. — This morning we were again 
marched out on the parade ground, and joined the brigade, 
which is composed of our six companies, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, New York Regiment of Volunteers 
and the South Carolina Regiment of Volunteers. This brigade 
is commanded by Brig.-Gen. James Shields, who, it will be 
remembered, was dangerously wounded at the battle of Cerro 
Gordo, and who may thank the Mexican surgeons for saving 
his life. They being better and more skilful surgeons in 
dressing wounds tlian our surgeons. The division is now 
under the command of Maj.-Gen. Quitman, both fighting Gen- 
erals, and who will not leave their men in the lurch, as our's 
did at the battle of Cerro Gordo. 

After drilling for an hour or more we came to a rest. Both 
Generals complimented us very highly for our skill in drilling ; 
after which we were dismissed to our quarters, where we 
arrived in the evening much fatigued. Here I heard that one 
of the New York Regiment's men had his throat cut from ear 
to ear last night. The Yorkers are swearing vengeance on the 
agrOfZiento. 
^5 



226 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Saturday, July 17, 1847. — This morning at ten o'clock the 
whole volunteer division was again on the parade ground drill- 
ing and being reviewed, drilling us almost to death. After 
which all the officers of our division, and accompanied by the 
Fourth Infantry, paid a visit to the anci«pt Indian town 
Chulula, which is seven miles from Puebl^;.t)n the top of the 
pyramid, there once stood the Aztec "Temple, but which is 
now replaced by a Roman Catholic church, some of us 
wanted to go along, but as Col. Black was going we couldn't 
smuggle ourselves in, for fear lie would see us, and then, of 
course, would send us back. So we were fooled again. 

In the evening they returned, and were much pleased by 
their visit to one of the oldest towns in all Mexico. 

Sunday July 18, 1847. — This morning after breakfast we 
had a meeting to consult what was to be done to-day, and 
finally came to the conclusion that my friend, Alburtus Welsh, 
and myself would go to the great cathedral and see what was 
going on there. At the entrance there was a Mexican stand- 
ing with a plate in hand to receive such contribution as you 
saw fit to give. We gave him a claco apiece, and went into 
church, which was, as usual, full; but were constantly going 
in and out. Some would come in, kneel before the cross, go 
through the Catholic signs and get up and go out. I thought 
to myself how ignorant and degraded these Mexicans are, 
and think it no wonder, where the Catholic religion rules, that 
the country does not flourish, because the Catholic church is 
opposed to all other religions, and whereveK they are in power 
they crush all liberties ; and this is the reason that some of the 
priests say that they would sooner suffer death than lose the 
power of the Catholic church. After walking around and 
looking at some of their movements and signs, we left fully 
convinced that us paganos (heathens) would not join the 
Catholic church yet awhile. 

Holiday, July 19, 1847. — Este inanana there is no news. 
Some were drilling. In the evening I visited the tcatro 
(theatre), where they played "Rob ^py" ajid the " Soldier's 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 227 

Return from the War." I wished it was me returning home in 
place of them playing it in the teatro;, it would then be reality. 
The performance was good and elicited frequent applause. 
The scenery was mostly all new, and the mounting appro- 
priate and exceedingly handsome. After it was over we re- 
turned to camp. 

Tuesday, July, 20, 1847. — This morning after a/;//r;'.C(? Joseph 
C. Taylor, Alburtus Welsh and myself again took a walk 
around the city and visited the principal churches and public 
buildings, and wound up in a billiard saloon, kept by an old 
Spaniard. Here we saw the prettiest and most curious kind of 
balls and tables that I ever saw before. The tables are made 
of solid mahogany, and the pockets are lions' heads of brass ; 
the lower jaw, which works on a spring, opens when the ball 
is pocketed, and shuts up again when the ball is taken out. 
After playing several games we returned to our quarters, 
where we again heard the mournful strain of a soldier's 
funeral passing. With dirges dire and sad array, slowly 
through the streets, I saw hini borne away, 

Wednesday, July 21, 1 847-- — This morning I followed a 
Mexican funeral, that of a child, which, no doubt, belonged 
to a wealthy family. It was carried by four little boys, and 
it was exposed to full view. The funeral was followed by the 
priests and their gang with lighted candles. They took it into 
the church and hacj the grave dug in the middle of the aisle. They 
put artificial flowers in the grave. They then laid the child in the 
coffin and put a shovelful of dirt on the imparts of the face and 
then closed its cpffin and filled up the grave. During all this 
time the priest was sprinkling the grave and coffin with water 
and had incense burning. The organ, which is a beautiful one, 
was playing a tune, similar to " Old Hundred," until the 
whole ceremony .was over ; but what beat me, I saw no 
mourrfirfg, or any person crying or in distress. 

At noon I went to the Alameda Park, where I had a long 
talk with one of the South Carolina soldiers. Suddenly he 
jumped up and said that he had forgot something at his 



228 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

quarters and left; and when I returned I found that the infernal 
scoundrel had robbed me of my purse containing two doub- 
loons and a ten-dollar gold piece, in all about fifty dollars. I 
was mad enough to eat him alive if I ever get hold of him. 
I assure you I would almost as soon lose my head as to lose, or 
be robbed of my spare cash, which I brought with me from the 
United States. 

There is a saying that " He who loses money loses much, 
he who loses a friend loses more, but he who loses his spirit 
loses all ; " and I find that this is a real fact ; no money to get 
some extras to keep the stem of life going, all gone, except a 
dollar or so which I had loose in my pocket. 

To-night I am much disheartened and low spirited, and will 

say good-night; may the catch him, or I hope he will 

be the first one who will get his head shot off close to his 
shoulders. 

Thursday, July 22, 1847. — Last night I could hardly sleep, 
and this morning I got up much disheartened and in poor 
spirits, but at last I resolved to throw this feeling from my 
mind, and trust to better luck. 

About noon a company of Mexican lancers came in with a 
white flag, but I could not learn their object. It was soon 
rumored that the Mexicans will not receive Mr. N. P. Trist, 
our American Minister, to negotiate for peace. This brings 
my remarks true. They will not make peace until the halls of 
Montezumas are stormed and taken. So now, lookout for 
breakers ! 

This afternoon there was considerable excitement at the 
headquarters of the New York regiment owing to one of the 
Lieutenants, named, I think, Myen Reid, a gallant officer, 
killing one of their own men with his sword, running it 
through his heart, for trying to release himself, he being 
bucked and gagged at the time. The deceased's brother, who 
belongs to the same regiment, swears that he will shoot Lieut. 
Reid, if it should be in the midst of battle, for this cowardly 
act. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 229 

In the evening there was a requisition on our detachment for 
five soldiers to fill up Capt. Steptoes' field battery for to go on 
to the city of Mexico. This does not look much like peace — 
it means work. 

Friday, July 23, 1847. — This morning, at 10 o'clock, a. m,, 
Col. Harney's Dragoons had a splendid turnout. The whole 
regiment under his command, accompanied by the splendid 
brass band, mounted on fine grey horses ; their turnout was 
highly imposing, and the music could not be beaten. 

In the evening Mr. Hart, manager of the theatre, came to 
our quarters for a file of soldiers to fire in the piece to-night, 
" Romeo and Juliet." I volunteered my services, and took 
part in it ; then sat and saw the tragedy played through. Who- 
ever would have thought, that I, Jacob Oswandel, of Company 
C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, would ever be- 
come a theatre actor ! 

Saturday ^ July 24, 1847. — 'This morning, at 10 o'clock, a. m., 
Brig.-Gen. James Shields visited our quarters, and examined 
them thoroughly ; then he ordered the men out by companies, 
after which he examined our muskets carefully and at the 
same time taking a good and sharp look at every soldier ; after 
which he took hold of Lieut.-Col. Black's hand and congratu- 
lated him, saying that it was highly gratifying to him to say 
that both quarters and soldiers looked remarkably well, and 
that he had not the least doubt that they would always keep 
themselves so. Oh, yes, if Gen. Shields had only come an 
hour or so sooner he would not have said this ; he should have 
seen the ragamuffins. At noon marched out on the parade 
ground to drill for several hours, so as to be prepared to meet 
the flower of the army of Gen. Santa Anna. 

Sunday, July 25, 1847. — This morning early, it was ascer- 
tained that seven men from Capt. Rush's company had deserted, 
three non-commissioned officers and four privates. The dra- 
goons were immediately despatched in all directions after 
them, and if they are caught, God bless their souls, 
(if they have any). In fact^ there are a great many of our 



230 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

soldiers deserting ; even at Jalapa city, the Mexicans held out 
inducements of great promise to our men, (and particularly 
to the Catholic portion), to desert and join their cause ; they 
would offer them money and a commission as captain in their 
army, if they can induce a certain number of soldiers to 
desert, by promising promotion hereafter ; but I am glad to 
say that they were only successful among the Catholic por- 
tion of our army who were persuaded by the priests that it 
was wrong and sinful to fight against their church and religion. 
But some had other causes ; cause of bad treatment at the 
hands of young snot-nose and tyrannical officers. We have 
but one Irishman in our company, and he is what they call an 
Orangeman, Jierctico Americano. 

In the evening the Fourth Infantry Band played in the Ala- 
meda Park, and, as usual, the place was crowded. It wound up 
in a regular fight between a young wnbra and an elderly scnorita, 
and I assure you there was a little fun for a time. 

No positive news yet from the city of Mexico in regard to 
Mr. N. P. Trist and his peace stock. 

Monday, July 26, 1847. — This morning, at 10 o'clock, a. m., 
we left for the field or parade-ground, where we had a division 
drill under the command of Gen. Quitman. He drilled us 
until noon, and then turned us over to Gen. Shields who 
marched the old volunteer brigade to town, and there dis- 
missed us to our quarters. This has been a hard drill. The 
sun being very warm. 

This evening five of the South Carolina Volunteers were 
buried. They were all in very poor health. It seems strange 
that the people of the South cannot stand the hot climate so 
well as us in the North. 

Tuesday, July2y, 1847. — This morning the Second Infantry, 
accompanied by their officers, paid a visit to the city of 
Chulula. Myself being well acquainted with one of their 
Sergeants, smuggled myself in their ranks and followed them. 
The road to Chulula being pretty good, we were not long 
going there: ; on the way we met several Indians carrying 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 231 

very big loads of earthenware, strapped on their backs. They 
having the strap going around their foreheads, in this way 
they trot along on a dog's trot for miles ; carrying with them 
a strong stick, that in case they want to rest they prop the 
stick under their load. 

The Pyramid of Chulula, which looks more like a natural 
hill than anything I have ever seen, was erected many years 
before the arrival of Cortez and his bold band of robbers, still 
remains, but I am told that most of its beauties has been 
destroyed by Cortez and the long series of revolutions in 
Mexico. This pyramid covers many acres of ground, and on 
the top of it is a church or temple. Its bases looks to me as 
if it was built of bricks, but hard. The interior is abundant 
with cavities or vaults, roofed in with beams of cedar, for places 
for sepulchres, which contains skeletons, idols, etc. There are 
several small pyramids surrounding this large one. It appears 
to me to have been formed by cutting a hill into an artificial 
shape. Its dimensions are immense, being nearly three miles 
in circumference, and about three hundred and fifty feet high. 
It is divided into terraces and slopes, covered with platforms, 
stages and bastions, and are elevated one above the other; 
and all formed with large stones skilfully cut and joined with- 
out any cement. In some respects the style of architecture 
resembles the Gothic, being massive and durable, and I am in- 
formed, in other respects, it resembles the Egyptian. 

The general construction, manner and style of architecture 
is different from anything I have ever seen. 

The city of Chulula is built in a large, level and fertile 
valley, and extends as far as the eye can reach. The rivulets 
and numerous fields of maguey plants, which produces a 
drink called polqiie, looks as if it was almost at our feet. Here 
is a splendid view of the city of Puebla and other small towns. 
Its shining domes are plainly to be seen from here. The sur- 
rounding volcanoes and other historic mountains are also 
visible, and the most beautiful and romantic scenes that human 
eyes ever beheld can be seen. No writer or historian .can 



232 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

describe the nature of these scenes ; and I shall ever remember 
it the longest day of my life. 

Before the time Conqueror Cortez came to this country this city of 
Chulula contained from twenty to twenty-five thousand houses, and as 
many more banqueting houses. The number of temples and turrets 
were equal with that of the number of days in a year. It, at one time, 
contained (according to the number of houses) a population from one 
hundred and thirty to one hundred and thirty-five thousand inhabitants. 
Now its population is scarcely six thousand souls. It, no doubt, must 
have been at one time a most beautiful city. 

It still has the appearance of being a neat city, but the ruins, caused 
by Cortez and his band of robbers, are numerous. 

All this numerous destruction of property and thousands of lives, was 
all done by Conqueror Fernando Cortez to inspire (he said) new religion 
among the Mexicans and Indians. Yes, inspired for their gold and 
nothing else. 

The people seemed to me to be nearly all poor, and poorly 
clad, and not very thriving. 

They carry on the manufacturing of all kinds of earthen- 
Ware, which seems to be the principal traffic and production 
of this section of the country. They take it mostly to Puebla 
and other markets. 

After spending several hours in examining and viewing the 
curiosities, we returned to our quarters well pleased with our 
trip to the ancient pyramid of Chulula. 

The early history of Mexico tells us that it was in this city 
(Chulula) where King Montezuma was first foretold of the 
downfall and destruction of his kingdom by several running 
signs. 

It was in the temple of this city where their god, Quezal- 
coalti, informed the people that a strange and mighty people 
were coming to take possession of the Mexican dominion, and 
all the believers and reporters of this sign, were all committed 
to prison by King Montezuma's orders, and would, doubtless, 
have put them all to death had they not escaped from prison ; 
yet their wives and children were all put to death upon King 
Montezuma's command. Quezalcoalti fled and sailed from 
where Vera Cruz now stands. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 233 

These signs soon afterwards made their appearance, and 
came as a mighty comet or a blazing star, and continued for a 
whole year around. 

The great temple Cue, King Montezuma's palace, in the city 
of Mexico, took fire and burned to the ground. How it took 
fire no one knew, and no one knows to the present day. 

The water which was thrown on the temple Cue to quench 
it burnt like brim-stone, and at the same time of this fire there 
appeared in the sky three fiery heads at noon-day, and out 
of a long tail shot sparks of fire to the earth. These signs 
from above made the people tremble and rush from one 
place to another. Ev'en King Montezuma, who did not be- 
lieve in these signs and reports, began to think that there must 
be some truth in these reports, and began to get alarmed and 
prepared for the emergency. 

Thus, the great prince, Montezuma, who, by his valor and 
good success in the wars, had, in a few years of his reign 
(before Cortez came), subdued the better part of a hundred 
cities and tow^ns to his dominion, and in the height of his glory 
he was foretold of his downfall, which proved true. 

Chulula (before Cortez's time) was governed by a Mayor, Councilmen 
and a Chief Priest, for they never went upon the least design before they 
had first been at their devotion, in which the office of the Priest was only 
to perform the idols four times in twenty-four hours, viz.: — In the morn- 
ing, at noon, after sunset, and at midnight; at which times none were 
allowed to be absent. After this they used their prisoners in a most 
horrid manner ; for instance, in their temples stood a round stage of 
stone, to the top o£ which they ascended by a square scaffold supported 
by pillars, behind which appeared thousands of men and women's heads, 
and among them the prisoners that were to be offered for sacrifice, who 
were stark naked and guarded by several armed men. Several feet from 
the steps which led to the top of the scaffold, stood a pyramidical stone 
(called by the Indians Qiiancicalla), and behind it stood two round 
chapels, covered on the top like a mattress. Each had four holes in a 
large gate, in which sat a horrid representation {C/iacka/inua), wor- 
shipped by six priests. One of them was called Papas, whose, office was 
to pluck out the hearts of these prisoners. After going through numer- 
ous other signs, such as drawing blood out of their tongues, lips, ears, 
breasts, knees and palms of their hands, which they threw into the 



234 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

air, supposing thereby to be pardoned by their indulgent gods, the 
five priests then took hold of their legs, arms and heads, put 
wooden collars about the sufferers' necks, at the same time the Papas 
showed reverence to the idols, and with a sharp stone, he cut open the 
breasts of the prisoners, who, in a deplorable condition, lay on the pyra- 
midical stone, and pulling their hearts out of their bodies, threw the 
same reeking to the sun, and at last threw them toward the idol, and 
their dead bodies down the stairs, after which the same were carried 
away, everyone taking his own prisoner and roasting and boiling him, 
and served him up to his friends as a great trophy. 

This kind of murdering the poor ignorant people was not only used 
among the Mexicans, but also among the other neighboring Indians, 
and especially in the city of Chulula (which signifies the sanctity of all 
the gods), for in this town six thousand small children were Offered 
yearly. In fact, in most all the ancient towns were seen hung abundance 
of men's bones bound up together, and under them was written the 
names of their enemies, whose flesh had either been sacrificed or eaten. 

The last celebration of this kind took place in 1507, twelve years 
before the landing of Cortez. 

Wednesday, July 28, 1847. — I forgot to mention yesterday 
the death of one of the Second Regiment Pennsylvania 
Vokmteers. He belonged to the Cameron Guards, and was 
one of the party that came from Lancaster, Pa., with Sergt. 
Hambright. He was a good soldier and a jolly good fellow, 
and was buried with all the honors of war. 

At noon news was received at the headquarters by our spy 
company that a large body of Mexican soldiers, about two 
thousand strong, with four pieces of artillery, had passed 
around this city, to the right, last night ; and were now at a 
small town named Hattano, near Amozoquco, awaiting for Gen. 
Frank Peirce's train to arrive, and there to make an attack. 
On the receipt of this news Gen. Scott immediately sent four 
regiments to go in pursuit of them, accompanied by several 
pieces of artillery and two companies of dragoons. 

This evening a member of our company died, named 
Charles Mason. He hails from Philadelphia, Pa., and has 
been a good soldier. He was buried with all the honors of 
war. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 235 

Thursday, July 29, 1847. — This morning we were again 
marched out on the parade-ground, and had a glorious old 
drill. We drilled until noon. When we returned to our 
quarters we were much fatigued after the performance. 

The Mexicans have a report out to-day that Capt. Samuel 
H. Walker, of the Texan Rangers, was killed by the guerillas, 
near the Castle of Perote, while out scouting. If this report 
is true the American army will meet with a severe loss, but the 
Mexicans are such infernal liars that little confidence is placed 
in the report. 

To-night the theatre and circus company were combined, 
and played " Timour, the Tartar," to a crowded house, with 
much success. 

This is the first evening for a long time that we did not 
hear the Dead March played. So our army's health must be 
improving. 

I learn this evening that the mail that started from here to 
Vera Cruz on the i6th inst. was captured by the guerillas. If 
this report is correct my letters that I wrote home are in the 
hands of these guerillas, but they cannot find anything by 
them of our movements., 

Friday, July 30, 1847. — This morning we were again 
marched to the parade ground to have a brigade-drill, and it 
was a splendid sight to witness the different batteries of 
light artillery drilling and firing off blank cartridges. The 
cavalry mounting and charging in fine style. The infantry 
went through marching and firing order. 

At noon we returned to our quarters well pleased with our 
drilling, and what we had seen on the field. On our way to 
our quarters we met five Mexican lancers coming in with a 
flag of truce. Their design I could not learn, but I suppose 
it is to exchange some prisoners, which were captured by 
some of the guerillas a few days ago. 

In the evening another one of our company died, named 
William Dayton Huston, of Philadelphia, Pa. He has been 
lingering with the diarrhoea for some time. Also Lieut. John 



236 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

H. Hill, of the Second Dragoons. He hailed from Phila- 
delphia, Pa. He was at the siege of Vera Cruz and the battle 
of Cerro Gordo. 

Saturday, July 31, 1847. — This morning Mr. N. P. Trist 
and the dragoons, with the white flag of truce, returned ; and I 
believe there is no sign of peace. So more fighting must be 
done, and the sooner the better. 

At noon Gen. Scott and staff paid another visit to the 
town of Chulula. 

This afternoon the funeral of Lieut. Hill, of the Second 
Regiment of Dragoons, took place. His horse, with the 
deceased's boots in stirrups of the saddle, followea his corpse. 
The funeral was largely attended, with mournful music. He 
was buried in the Bishop Cemetery, which i.-. beautifully laid 
out. Directly afterward we buried our comrade, William 
Dayton Huston, near our quarters, a piece of ground used by 
our regiment for that purpose. 

This evening Gen. Scott and his party returned to the city, 
and no doubt were well pleased with their trip. 

In the evening a theatre manager came to our quarters for 
a few men to volunteer in the play called " Hamlet." George 
W. Nightlinger and myself offered our services, Mr. Nightlinger 
took the character of the Ghost, " I am thy father s spirit." 
He being tall and slender, took and played his part well. Myself 
was one of the supernumeraries, and took different characters 
in the play. The house was crowded. After my return from 
the theatre I was detailed to go on picket-guard in the place 
of one of our men, who took sick. Soon afterwards a 
tremendous storm, rain and hail, set in ; tronantors (thundering) 
increasing intensely and raining in torrents ; and the sky was 
darkened as black as darkness could make it ; the wind blew 
and dashed the large drops of moisture, in the form of spray, 
directly in your humble sentinel's face. I stood for nearly two 
hours, half bewildered by the violence of the storming wind, 
rain, hail, &c., saying to myself, " When will this storming 
wind cease ?" 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 237 

Sunday, August i, 1847. — This morning after I got off 
guard-duty and breakfast I took a good nap until 2 o'clock, 
p. M. 

In the evening there was quite a fuss kicked up between the 
two Pittsburgh companies, Capt. Denny, Co. A., and Capt. 
Herron, Co. K, both of the First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. They kept it up until both parties were put in the 
guard-house for future good behavior. Of all the black eyes, 
skinned noses and bruised faces it beat all that I have ever seen. 
All quiet again. 

Monday, August 2, 1847. — This morning the soldiers, who 
were put in the guard-house last evening for fighting and dis- 
orderly conduct, were released with joy to themselves and 
friends ; and some of them looked as if they wouldn't be able 
to see daylight for sometime. It serves them right, why not 
behave. 

At 10 o'clock we again went to the parade-ground, and had 
another long drill, for over two hours. I don't know what 
our officers mean by drilling us so much, for we can shoot 
and yell, and that is all that is necessary to frighten the 
Mexicans. 

In the evening it commenced raining, and it increased in 
intensity with heavy strokes of tronantor que rcldutpago 
(thundering and lightning). The sky overhead was a black 
pall. All quiet, except some are telling stories, singing songs 
and playing cards. Some would read the newspapers sent 
from the States, while others were writing letters, and so on 
until the tap of the drum beats, when all laughter, songs and 
playing of cards must be* stopped, and all lights must be put 
out. 

Tuesday, August 3, 1847. — This morning we again marched 
to the field, and had another long drill, preparing for the 
bloody contest, which (according to rumor) we will soon have 
to fight. 

This afternoon a squadron of dragoons came in from the 
Castle of Perote. They bring a very large mail with them. I 



238 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

received one letter from home. The dragoons report that Gen. 
Peirce is on his way with two thousand five hundred men, with 
a train consisting of nearly two hundred wagons loaded with 
provisions, ammunition and other ordnance stores. 

In the evening one of the Fourth Infantry and one of the 
South Carolina were buried. 

We are all anxiously looking with strained eyes for the 
paymaster to come around and pay us off before we march on 
to the city of Mexico. We are now in the service eight months, 
and all we received was two months' pay, ^17.50. So our 
government, who are constantly firing in our rear, owes us now 
six months' pay. This long delay causes much grumbling, 
grievance and dissatisfaction among the soldiers. Oh! do, 
paymaster, come, for I have lately been robbed of all my cash, 
and am now one of the sufferers. 

It is rumored to-night that we will march towards the city 
of Mexico as soon as Gen. Peirce arrives. So hurry up 
Peirce. 

Wednesday, Aiigitst 4, 1847. — This morning an extra was 
published from the American Star office, stating that Capt. 
Ruff, with a party of dragoons, had a fight with a large force 
of lancers and guerillas, at a small town called San Juan Los 
Lanos, not far from Ojo de Aqua. The Captain in his account 
says that he killed about thirty and wounded about fifty, and 
he had only one killed and one wounded in the fight. He 
says had he known where their quarters were not one would 
have escaped, but he came upon them unexpected. Also 
Gen. Peirce with his large train is at Tepegahaulco, and will be 
here in a few day. 

So the news for this evening is prepare for marching 
orders. 

Thursday, August 5, 1847. — This morning nearly the whole 
army marched out on the parade-ground and had a good drill 
in field movements, with much satisfaction to all our Generals, 
and they are fully convinced that we can drive the flower of the 
army of Gen. Santa Anna. Gen. Scott with his staff in full 
uniform were on the field to view the drilling. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 239 

This afternoon a few of us took a walk around the city to 
take a good look at it again, for perhaps we never may see it 
again, as there will be a great many balls, canisters, grape shot, 
muskets and rockets fired at us before we get back to this 
place again. 

No deaths this evening. The health of our army is im- 
proving, there being scarcely any deaths among so many 
soldiers, now ten thousand, but there are still a great many in 
the hospital who either have been wounded or are wasting 
away to skeletons with that awful disease diarrhoea. 

Friday^ August 6, 1847. — This morning we received orders 
to hold ourselves in readiness to march on to-morrow or next 
day. 

About 10 o'clock, A. M., Gen. Peirce's division and large 
train arrived. His force is about twenty-five hundred strong. 
Two companies of volunteers from old Pennsylvania are in 
this division, they are from Lewistown and Huntingdon, Pa. 
I knew several in the Lewistown company, Capt. Irvin and 
about fifteen c^ his men. They report of having no fight on 
the road, except fired upon several times from the different 
passes, hills and chaparrals by the guerillas. They also say 
that the beautifully cemented bridge over the Plan del Rio 
was blown up by the guerillas to detain the trains as they may 
come by, but they cut a road through the bank along the 
river, and in two hours they were again on their way to this 
city. 

The garrison of Jalapa is broken up, and the detachment 
under the command of Col. Childs came with Gen Peirce's 
division, and are to form the main garrison of Puebla. So 
there is no station or garrison between this and Perote Castle. 
Here at the Castle of Perote are stationed four companies 
of our First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded 
by Col. Wynkoop and Capt. Walker, and two companies of 
mounted riflemen. The companies at Perote are Co. B, Capt. 
Nagle ; Co. E, Capt. Binder ; Co. ¥ , Capt. Bennett ; Co. H, Capt. 
Scott, and Third Artillery, Capt. Taylor. This forms the 
garrison of the town and Castle of Perote. 



240 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

There will be left in this city (Puebla) over two thousand 
sick and wounded soldiers ; so, of course, it will take about 
one thousand soldiers to take care of these invalids, besides 
the garrison to guard the stores and other ammunitions of 
war. 

lalso learn by this train of the death of Andrew Wray, who 
died on the 15th of July at the Castle of Perote. He was a 
Corporal in our company, and a well drilled officer. He was 
every inch a soldier, and took great pains and time in showing 
his men how to handle their muskets and drill, but somehow 
he and Capt. Small could never agree, and before we left 
Perote he asked Capt. Small to be transferred to Capt. Scott's 
company, which was done, but lost his Corporalcy. 

In the evening most of our men are preparing to march, 
and some are seen writing letters to their folks at home. I 
myself, have written several letters to my parents and personal 
friends, and stated in them that we have received orders to 
march on to the great city of Mexico, and there expect to 
fight some bloody battles. One letter was tp my brother 
PVederick, as follows : — 

Puebla City, Mexico, ] 
August 6, 1847. J 

Dear Brother : — I am happy to state that I received your 
letter to-day, and I need not say that it was welcome, for I 
have been looking for a letter from you for some time. When 
we arrived in this city, our army was too small to march on 
to the city of Mexico, so we were obliged to stay here until 
our Government had exerted itself to supply the places of the 
dead, wounded, sick and discharged volunteers, with new regi- 
ments. They are now arriving as fast as the soldiers can be 
sent forward. We have made all necessary preparations to 
march on to the halls of Montezumas. The whole army has 
been drilling almost every day, and also recruiting in strength. 
We now have orders to march on to the city of Mexico to- 
morrow or next day. We have been informed that the Mexi- 
cans have strongly fortified it, and their boast is, " That they 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 241 

not only intend to give us a warm reception, but to defeat our 
army and cut it up into fragments." 

We have heard them boast before, and the country knows 
the result, whether they ever come true. 

Mark what I am saying, I am confident that our army will 
be successful in every engagement. Our army has adopted a 
motto : — " Victory or death." Therefore, you can all rest as- 
sured that our army will be victorious in every battle. Yes ! 
Victory is on every soldier's lips ; victory is our only pass- 
word in this campaign. 

I expect by the time you receive this letter our flag will 
wave triumphantly over the halls of Montezumas. 

Our whole army is in fighting order, and I, myself, am fully 
prepared to go into it ; and, as I said in my former letters, if 
it should be my time to fall, it will be on the field of Gen. 
Scott's fame. 

Our whole army is anxious to march on toward the capital 
of Mexico ; yet, at the same time, we do not like to lesi,ve this 
beautiful and well planned city of Puebla. 

Oh ! How I love to hear the various tones of the church 
bells strike ; they put me in mind (particularly on Sunday 
when you and I were little boys) of the bell chimes of the 
Trinity Lutheran and other churches of Lancaster. 

The cathedral has its towers full of bells of different sizes. 
One strikes every half-hour, on,e every hour, others toll the 
curfew, and again others call the sinners to church to have 
their sins forgiven. 

The whole of the bells chime out together at 6 o'clock, a. 
M., 12 o'clock at noon, anc^ I2 o'clock at midnight, when all 
must be in doors, 

Sunday (like in all other to^Y^s) is the big day of the week. 
The stores and markets are opened in the morning ; most 
everybody carries a revolver, bowie knife and dagger. They 
have no fist-fight, or knocking one another down — they shoot 
or ^tab one another. I'hey carry a belt around their waist. 



242 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Almost every house you come to here has a portico or 
open yard in the middle, around which the rooms are built, 
and their stables are below. These yards are always full of 
flowers which bloom nearly the whole year around. In the 
upper class they have a fine fountain in the centre, surrounded 
with fine trees, principally orange. 

The climate is pleasant ; the air has a clear and pure smell ; 
the sun, particularly in the middle of the day, is very hot and 
very powerful in its light, dry atmosphere ; but the moment it 
goes behind the mountains, and more particularly when it is 
cloudy, a sudden chill pervades the air. At nights we 
have to sleep under our blankets to keep warm, however 
much we may perspire during the day. Water left in our 
canteens, or in other vessels, over night, is nearly as cold as 
ice-water the next morning. 

I see a statement in the American Star (a paper published 
in this city), that after leaving the sick, wounded and a garri- 
son at Puebla, our marching forces to go to the capital of 
Mexico, will be over ten thousand men. This is a small force 
to march to a city whose population is over two hundred 
thousand, besides a standing army of thirty thousand soldiers, 
to assault a carefully and well fortified position. 

Gen. Scott, with the victories already won, and the confidence 
of his gallant little army, which never retreated an inch, will 
advance with his present force and give battle to the confident 
foe. I again bid you farewell, for many of us will have to fall 
before this bloody conflict is over, and many, I hope, will live 
to tell the true history of the battles about to be fought 
in the Valley of Mexico. I am fully prepared to go into this 
fight ; and, as I said before, if it should be my time to fall it 
will be on the field of Scott's fame. 

I am well and ;n good spirits. 

Your brother, J. J. O. 

P. S. — I have been informed by some of the oldest inhabi- 
tants that the city of Puebla was named after a race by that 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 243 

name, who, tradition tells us, were a powerful and gigantic 
people. They were the occupants of the whole New Mexico 
territory, and tradition believes that they even occupied Florida 
and Mississippi. They are an industrious and enterprising 
people. They have built many cities, temples and massive 
pyramids, wove woolen and silk fabrics, were also great agri- 
culturists. All now extinct, nothing left but ruins of stone. 



CHAPTER V. 

GEN. SCOTT's army LEFT PUEBLA FOR THE CITY OF MEXICO 

MUCH DISCONTENTMENT A GALA DAY FOR THE SOLDIERS 

WHO WENT MURDEROUS OUTRAGE ON OUR SOLDIERS — GOOD 

NEWS FROM GEN. SCOTT ; SO FAR VICTORIOUS MULE-FIGHT 

FOURTEEN MEN KILLED REVOLUTION OF HIDALGO GEN. 

REA ISSUED A PROCLAMATION TO DRIVE THE YANKEES OUT 

COL. CHILDS AND GEN. REA MET TO EXCHANGE PRISONERS 

EXCITING NEWS FROM GUADALOUPA HEIGHTS REVOLUTION 

OF HIDALGO IN 181O. 

Sunday^ August y, 1847. — This morning the orders for 
marching on to the city of Mexico, read to us last evening, 
were countermanded, and orders read that we are to remain 
here to form the main garrison of Puebla. 

Never did I see the countenance of men change so suddenly, 
and never did I see a set of men more provoked and put out 
about anything in all my life. They cursed and swore and 
called Gen. Scott almost everything for keeping us here, for 
we were all in high glee, expecting, without fail to go on to 
the city of Mexico with the main army, and be with it in all 
the pictured battle scenes which are to be fought at the great 
empire of Mexico ; but all our hopes of triumphant prospects 
and victory were dashed. 

" You can't go," were the words ; discouraged and dismayed 
again. The cause of our order being countermanded is that 
Maj. Twiggs, of the United States Marines, who was detailed 
to form part of the garrison of Puebla, being a near relative of 
Gen. Twiggs', and was anxious to be with the army marching 
on to the city of Mexico, his orders were changed from form- 
ing the garrison, and was ordered to march in our place. Our 
men will never forgive Maj. Twiggs for taking the advantage 
of our orders of marching on to the city, and the general say- 
ing is that they don't wish Maj. Twiggs any luck ; they also 
(244) 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 245 

blame Gen. Scott for changing our orders, and I regret that 
the high esteem and admiration held by our men for Gen. 
Scott is now reversed, they making uncomplimentary remarks 
about our misfortune. 

About 8 o'clock, a. m., the advance of Gen. David E. 
Twiggs' Second Division began to move for the ancient capital 
of Montezuma. 

This division is composed of the whole cavalry brigade of 
dragoons and mounted riflemen. The First Dragoons were 
under Capt. Phil. Kearney ; Second Dragoons under Maj. E. 
V. Sumner; Third Rifle Dragoons under Capt. McReynolds ; 
and the whole brigade under that gallant and heroic dragoon 
officer. Col. Wm. S. Harney ; First Brigade under Gen. Per- 
sifer Frazer Smith ; First Artillery ; the Mounted Rifle Regi- 
ment ; Third Infantry ; Taylor's Battery ; Second Brigade under 
Acting Gen. Bennett Reiley ; Fourth Artillery, First and 
Second Infantry ; in all about three thousand men and a train 
of some two hundred wagons. 

When the old silver-haired veteran, Gen. Twiggs, passed 
our quarters, we gave him three cheers. The mounted band 
on their splendid white horses, struck up the " Star Spangled 
Banner," and " Yankee Doodle," etc. Oh ! didn't I wish I 
was with that crowd. 

This evening I hear a good deal of dissatisfaction and 
grumbling going on among our men. Some blame Col. Wyn- 
koop, who, with the other four companies of our regiment, 
are now stationed at Perote Castle. They say» had he been 
with us, our order for marching would not have been changed. 

Later this evening I learn that Lieut.-Col. Samuel W. 
Black, of our regiment, tendered his resignation to Gen. 
Scott, but it was not accepted by that officer. 

Maj. Twiggs was afterwards killed at the storming of the 
Castle of Chapultepec, September 13, 1847. 

Thus, through ambition and inspiration for military fame he 
lost his life with glory to himself and family. 



246 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Sunday, August 8, 1847. — This morning I could still hear 
our men grumbling and swearing on account of our dis- 
appointment. Lieut.-Col. Black again insisted on his resigna- 
tion, and to join the advancing army, and go even as a private, 
but Gen. Scott still refused to accept it ; and at the same time 
told Col. Black, that he must not be uneasy, and not to think 
that he will have no fighting to do ; that he, Col. Black, will 
find it out, and that before long ; that he will have enough of 
fighting to do before the war is over , also, that he, Scott, 
noticed our six companies on parade ground, to be the best 
drilled and disciplined body of soldiers in the whole volunteer 
division, they being used to hardship and fatigue, and that we 
were the kind of troops he wanted to garrison one of the 
main points on his line of operation. Good-bye, Colonel ! 
and may God protect you and your gallant little band in the 
discharge of your duties. 

About 9 o'clock, A. M., we were ordered to form in front of 
the Alameda Park, to salute the officers and division as they 
pass out. This is the Fourth Division under the command of 
Gen. John A. Quitman, it's called " the Volunteer Division of 
Gen. Scott's army." Our little band, when the advance were 
coming, played the " Star Spangled Banner," " Hail Colum- 
bia," and " Yankee Doodle." Finally, our late Brig.-Gen. 
James Shields came riding along at the head of his First Bri- 
gade, he was received with six cheers and a regular yell which 
lasted for several minutes, which made his horse rear on his 
hind feet, in regular Jackson style. The General took off his 
hat with one hand, and with the other returned the salute, 
saying in a loud voice, " Good-bye ! " 

Gen. Shields is one of the most popular Generals in our 
army. As Gen. Quitman passed, he was also received with 
three hearty cheers, and directly after him came our great 
chieftain, Maj.-Gen. Winfield Scott, our men would not cheer 
him on account of his keeping us here as a garrison, but of 
course, he received a present arms; this he returned by a 
wave of his hand. Our band played " Hail to the Chief." 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 247 

He was accompanied by Capt. Phil. Kearney's First Dragoons, 
and they expect to overtake Gen. Twiggs' division to-morrow. 
This division is composed of the South CaroHna, New York 
and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and a detachment of 
four hundred United States Marines, under Maj. Twiggs. 
After they had passed we returned to our quarters, but still 
wishing ourselves to be with the main army. 

Monday, August 9, 1847. — This morning at 8 o'clock, a. m., 
we were again formed in front of the Alameda Park, to view 
Maj. -Gen. William J. Worih's First Division pass out. It 
commenced to move at the above hour, and it took nearly 
four hours until the rear guard passed out. It is the largest 
division that has yet passed. It is composed of two brigades ; 
First Brigade — Second and Third Regiment Artillery, Fourth 
Infantry and Capt. Duncan's Field-Battery, under Col. Gar- 
land. Second Brigade^Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Infantry, 
under Col. Clark. The whole division is composed of regu- 
lars over five thousand strong, and about three hundred 
wagons. The soldiers all looked remarkably well, and in high 
spirits, confident of their success in the approaching contest 
in the valley of Mexico. 

After they had passed, we were removed from our comfort- 
able quarters Plaza de Toras, to a regular built barracks called 
Quavtcl dc San Jose. Here we are to remain until further 
orders. 

As soon as we entered, our men made a rush (which is 
generally the case when we come into new quarters), for his 
place or bunk to doruiir (sleep), every one was trying to get 
the best place. Joseph C. Taylor, John Newman and myself, 
succeeded in getting three bunks together, but sorry to say, 
they are all laid in with bricks, and from the foot to the head 
it rises about four inches, at the head is an offset and a rise of 
about three inches more, which is intended for a almohado 
(pillow); just to think of a brick pillow to rest your weary 
head on. 



248 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Tuesday, August lO, 1847. — This morning, Gen. Gideon J. 
Pillows' division left. This is the smallest division that has 
left this city. It is composed of the following regiments : 
Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth United 
States Infantry and Voltigeurs Rifles, Col. Andrew command- 
ing. The Mountain Howitzer Battery under the command of 
Capt. Talcott, Lieuts. Callander and Reno are attached to the 
Voltigeurs ; they have their howitzers strapped on the mules 
backs. This division does not look so well as the rest, they 
having just arrived a few days ago from Vera Cruz, and not 
having had time to clean or shake the dust off their backs. 

This division is divided into two brifjades, the first brirade 
is commanded by our fellow townsman, Brig.-Gen. George 
Cadwalader; the second brigade, by Brig.-Gen. Frank Peirce ; 
Capt. Steptoe's battery is also attached to this division; it 
takes a train of over three hundred wagons loaded mostly 
with ammunition of war, this is the rear division of our army. 
The advance of Gen. Scott's army must, by this time, be close 
on to the city of Mexico. 

We noticed that the Mexicans were already beginning to 
get very saucy, the result was, we had to go to work and flog 
a half dozen of them. This caused considerable excitement 
among the Mexican corner-loungers, we could see them stand- 
ing around the streets in deep conversation, and no doubt 
planning how to get the best of these Yankees, but we are 
watching their movements with keen eyes. 

This afternoon Col. (now Governor) Childshad a long inter- 
view with the Alcalda of this city. Their conversation took 
place in the Palace Hall. The Alcalda assured and declared 
that he would do all that laid in his power to maintain order 
and suppress all outrages that may take place in Puebla. 
Good for the old Alcalda. 

This evening we have a great deal of criticism in our ranks, 
in regard to the promotion of Geri. Pillow from Brigadier to 
Major-Generalship. How he gained this promotion is the 
question asked by many of the vohvnteers who were under 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 249 

his command at the battle of Cerro Gordo, where he (the 
moment the enemy fired upon us) took to flight down the steep 
hill, and was not seen, nor could Col. F. M. Wynkoop's mes- 
senger find him, until after the battle was fought and over. 
These are the facts. He is, without a question, the poorest 
and most unpopular General in the United States army, and 
how he gained his promotion over that gallant and skilful 
General, James Shields (who at the battle of Cerro Gordo was 
dangerously wounded), is a mystery to many of our soldiers. 
But poor Gen. Shields, unfortunately, is not closely related to 
Jimmy Polk which is the reason. And if Gen. Pillow will do no 
better in front of the city of Mexico than he has done, God 
save our little army ! I think if Gen. Scott had his way he 
would send Gen. Pillow to the Island of Lobos until the war 
is over, then let him be honorably mustered out of the United 
States army, and then let Jimmy Polk appoint and send Gen. 
Pillow as Minister to the city of Mexico, for he would be the 
most suitable man for the position, for the simple reason he 
has seldom harmed a hair of. any Mexican. 

Wednesday, August ii, 1847. — This morning Governor 
Childs received information through our spy company (which 
is principally composed of Mexicans) that a large force of 
guerillas were near this city awaiting an opportunity to steal 
upon us and cut off all parties that may fall in their way. So 
on the strength of this we were ordered to prepare ourselves 
with forty rounds of cartridges for any emergency, and the 
howitzers were mounted on the parapets, and all spared 
soldiers got in readiness for an attack. A guard was stationed 
on the San Jose church steeple, near our quarters, to keep a 
sharp watch on the ladrones. 

In the evening mobs were gathered on the street corners, in 
fact everything began to look very suspicious. The stores 
even closed early, this shows that something is up. 

Now, I begin to think, and so do many others, that Gen. 
Scott's words to Col. Black will yet come too true. We will 
have enough fighting before the war in Mexico is over. 



250 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

I learn this evening that our whole fighting force consists of 
about one thousand men, including the hospital rangers, 
besides over five hundred soldiers very sick in the hospital, 
whom we have to protect as well as ourselves. Good night. 

Thursday, August 12, 1847. — This morning it is reported 
that the lancers or guerillas were in the plaza, and had run our 
teamsters from their wagons, which were at the time at the 
butcher's shop loaded with slaughtered beef to be distributed 
among the different companies. They cut one of our 
teamsters with their sword and nearly killed him, he barely 
making his escape. One man was cut in the head and 
shoulder, and was left laying on the pavement for dead. 

This outrage has caused a great deal of excitement am.ong 
the respectable portion of Mexicans, as well as among ourselves. 
The Mexicans, on hearing of this cowardly act upon our un- 
protected men, closed their stores, and everybody seemed to 
be getting out of the streets as soon as possible. The cloud 
that now enshrouds us looks bad, I see it gathering thick and 
fast, but the darker cloud and threatening bloody storm is 
darker for the butchering of our innocent men. Their blood 
will and shall be avenged. 

In the evening we were again placed on ramparts, looking 
and awaiting for these cowardly Mexicans to attack our 
quarters (San Jose), but these fanfarronado pcrro (bragging 
dogs) had not the courage to charge or show any fight, or 
show their yellow, beggaring faces. So, of course, we were 
left laying upon our arms all night to sleep and to watch. 

The garrison of Puebla consist of the following companies : 
A, Capt. Denny ; C, Capt. Small ; D, Lieut. Moore ; G, Capt. 
Morehead ; I, Capt. Dana ; K, Capt. Horron ; all of the First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieut. -Col. Samuel W. 
Black commanding, also two companies (A and K) of the 
Fourth United States Artillery, and one company of the 
cavalry, commanded by Capt. Ford; all under the command 
of Col. Childs. 




COL. THOMAS CHILDS. 



252 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Col. Thomas Childs is a native of Massachusetts. He 
entered the army as Third Lieutenant, March ii, 1814. He 
worked his way up to full rank of Major in the First Artillery, 
February 16, 1847, and soon after raised to his present rank. 
He greatly distinguished himself at Palo Alto and Monterey. 
At Cerro Gordo he fought side by side with the gallant Col. 
Harney, and like him received the highest commendation of 
Gen. Winfield Scott. He was appointed (during the absence 
of the main army from this city) military and civil Governor 
of Puebla. His career as a military commander, during the 
siege of Puebla, speaks for itself. 

Friday, August 13, 1847. — This morning Gov. Childs issued 
orders not to allow any soldier to be from his quarters after 
2 o'clock, p. M., without a pass from his commanding officers. 

At noon Capt. Ford's Third Cavalry company patroled the 
streets, picking up all straggling soldiers found from their 
quarters. 

In the afternoon I noticed some of our wagons were 
employed to haul sand to fill into the small canvas bags, to 
build breastworks and station a battery across the streets lead- 
ing to San Jose Square. This puts us in mind of the building 
of breastworks at Vera Cruz, only sand was more plentiful 
there. 

To-night we are again placed on the ramparts awaiting for 
the enemy to make an attack upon our quarters. 

Saturday, August 14, 1847. — This morning we went to 
work, and were kept busy in filling up sand bags for our 
breastworks across the street. The windows of houses in our 
immediate neighborhood are all barricaded with these sand 
bags. The howitzer men are piercing the walls for the 
musketry, and also for the howitzer pieces. Everything is 
getting in readiness for coudmtc (fighting). 

At noon Capt. Wall, of the Third United States Artillery 
(who died last night), was buried close by our quarters. He 
was left here in the hospital sick at the time his regiment 
marched on to the city of Mexico. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 253 

This afternoon news came to Gov. Childs, by a Frenchman, 
who has been living in this city for some time, that the citizens 
in general expect an attack on our quarters (San Jose) to- 
night by a large force of lancers and guerillas. 

In the evening the Mexicans had a torch-light procession 
and a band of music to arouse the citizens to arms, but the 
good citizens could not see it in that light, as they have been 
humbugged enough. From the movements of Gov. Childs I 
think he expects an attack shortly. Let them come. We are 
fully prepared for any emergency. We require no such wild 
excitement to arouse and to inspire our men on to fight. Let 
lurid glare of the cannon and the piercing musketry flash. 
We are always ready to meet the enemy, and can face ten to 
one. 

To-night we are on the ramparts awaiting for the expected 
and looked-for attack, but looked and waited in vain. They 
did not come to get a taste or even a smell of our good 
American powder. Oh ! I tell you we were all wishing for 
the Mexicans to make an attack on our Quarters, so that we 
might have a fair sweep at these faiifarroiiado, guerillas, and 
let them know that our quarters (San Jose) are not to be 
trifled with, besides it would have done %s good to have an 
opportunity to lay some of these fatifarron conipaiiero (boast- 
ing fellows) low, 

Snnday^ August 15, 1847. — This morning there is a rumor 
afloat that a train with two thousand troops had left Vera 
Cruz for this city a few days ago. Also a rumor of a fight 
between our dragoons and a party of lancers at Plan del Rio, 
or near the old battle-ground of Cerro Gordo, and that our 
dragoons got whipped, and were driven back. The rumor in 
regard to a train coming from Vera Cruz is a mere rumor 
from the enemy, as we have no tidings of any such train 
being on the way. So we don't place any truth in these 
rumors. 

This afternoon Charles Anderson, of Co. D, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, died at the hospital. He was what 



254 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

I call a great gambler, and has mostly followed that profession 
ever since he has been in the army. I never saw him doing 
any duty, for, I suppose, he belonged to that class of soldiers 
that could do just as they pleased, but he has at last been 
beaten badly. 

In the evening there was another torch-light procession 
marching through different streets. They had on their ban- 
ners, " Gen. Scott whipped, and had half of his army killed in 
attempting to storm the EI Penon Pass." There seems to be 
a great deal of entrnsiasmo (enthusiasm) in their ranks, and a 
great excitement throughout the city. If this news is true it 
is surely bad news from our army in front, but I do not 
believe a word of it. They may have been compelled to fall 
back, but never met with such disastrous repulse. Old Scott 
is too sharp a General to be caught in such a trap. That is 
not the way our Generals are brought up. 

To-night I was put on picket-guard on a very dangerous 
corner. I could plainly hear the Mexicans cheering for Gen. 
Santa Anna, also loud talking about Gen. Scott's defeat at El 
Penon Pass. 

Monday, August i6, 1847. — This morning after I was re- 
lieved from guard duty I viewed the dress-parade. Orders were 
read and issued to the commanding officers of each company 
to have all the soldiers (of their respective companies) hair cut 
short all over. This caused a great deal of dissatisfaction 
among the volunteers. They are cursing and juroros (swear- 
ing), saying that they will not suffer or allow their hair to be 
cut short, and look like a jail bird. It is true we are soldiers, 
and that it is expected of the soldiers to obey all laws and 
orders that may be issued, yet, at the same time, we don't care 
about being treated like slaves or prisoners. Joseph C. 
Taylor, of our mess, who usually wore his hair long, says he 
will not have his hair cut short. 

This order has caused the high estimation that our boys 
had for Gov. Childs, who, by-the-by, thought the world of 
him, to fall a little below par ; and instead of Gov. Childs' 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 255 

name being in every soldiers' mouth in praise, is now, and his 
hair order, cursed. 

This afternoon there is a rumor that the train had arrived at 
Perote, but it comes from very poor sources. Also a rumor 
that Gen, Scott was compelled to counter-march, and fall back 
to a little town called Ayotla to avoid a battle at El Penon. 
This accounts for the Mexicans last evening having inscribed 
on their banners, " Gen. Scott whipped and defeated, but say 
nothing about losing one-half of his army ;" which the 
Mexicans, no doubt, since found out to be false, for they 
seemed to very quiet about the city all day. 

No corner mobs or procession this evening. 

To-day is the three hundred and twenty-eighth anniversary 
of Conqueror Cortez, leaving Vera Cruz for the capital of 
Mexico, it being on August i6, 15 19. The second invaders, 
the grand army of the United States, commanded by Con- 
queror Winfield Scott, is now battering against the walls of 
the ancient capital of Montezumas. 

Tuesday^ August 17, 1847. — This morning we received in- 
formation through our spy that some of the Mexican officers, 
who were captured and taken prisoners at the battle of Cerro 
Gordo, and now on parole of honor, were holding a council of 
war in this city. 

So this evening about 10 o'clock Gov. Childs sent a guard 
after them, who marched on until they came to a romantic- 
looking building, situated at the outskirts of the city, a place 
well calculated for such purposes. The guard took charge of 
the front door, and, at the same time, surrounded the build- 
ing; after which they rushed into the building, and succeeded in 
arresting three of their paroled officers. Also found a large 
quantity of small arms and ammunition concealed in the 
building. The prisoners, and other booty, were escorted to 
Gov. Childs' headquarters, and from there to the calaboos 
de crivioncl to await for further hearing. After this arrest 
Gov. Childs received information from good authority that 
this city would soon be surrounded by a band of guerillas, 



256 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

all under the command of Gen. Lorenzio Rea, who will make 
an attempt to drive us Yankees from the city of Puebla. 

To-night (except the above little excitement) all is quiet. 

Wednesday, August 1 8, 1847. — This morning, before day- 
light, we were ordered up on the parapet or ramparts, as we call 
it, expecting an attack every minute. Here we remained until 
10 o'clock, A. M., and no sign of any attack. All seemed 
quiet in town. 

Mr. William Byrely, of Co. A, of Pittsburgh, and one of 
the best buglers in the army, came on the parapet and blew 
several national airs, letting the enemy know that we are still 
alive and kicking. 

In the afternoon one of the Mexicans came to Gov. Childs 
and told him that he thought the guerillas would try to make 
an attack on our quartel (San Jose) to-night. He said he got 
this from one of the guerillas himself Gov. Childs thought 
the Mexican spoke the truth. So on the strength of this 
report we were (in the evening) all ordered up on the parapet ; 
here to remain until morning, unless otherwise disturbed by 
the assaulting parties. Also orders that if any soldier leaves 
the ramparts, without orders, he would be court-martialed. 

To-night a guerilla came around the corner of Post No. 7. 
Our sentinel challenged him. At this instant the Mexican 
fired at our sentinel, and then ran as fast as his legs could 
carry him, no doubt rejoicing and thinking that he had ac- 
complished his aim in killing the sentinel ; but, fortunately, it 
being very dark missed the sentinel. The would-be murderer 
did not run far before he was met by one of the city mounted 
policemen, who ordered him to stop running. The orders 
were not obeyed, and he kept on running. The policeman 
then put spurs to his horse and followed him ; when near 
again ordered him to stop and surrender himself, to this he 
gave an insulting reply, when the policeman up with his 
sword and cut the guerilla over the head ; in fact his head was 
cut completely in two. He was afterwards searched, and on 
his person was found a sword, musket and dirk-knife, such 
as thieves and robbers generally carry. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 257 

If ever these guerillas should come to this city and get the 
controlling power, I wouldn't give much for the policeman 
who just cut and killed one of their desperados iivibra. 

12 o'clock to-night. — Still no attack. We are wishing that 
these infernal liars would do something, and not fool so much. 

Thursday, August 19, 1847. — This morning a courier left 
here for Vera Cruz, with orders for Col. (now governor) Wilson 
of that place to push forward the train now lying at that city 
without delay, as we are surrounded and expecting to be at- 
tacked by a large force of lancers and guerillas. The mes- 
sage was baked in a loaf of bread to avoid detection. It was 
carried by a Mexican on an old mule, b©th poorly clad. To- 
night, as usual, on the rampart waiting for an attack. To-night 
I was put on picket guard at Post No. 7, and, I assure you, I 
kept a sharp eye on the guerillas. 

Midnight. — No attack. 

Friday, August 20, 1847. — This morning, after I was re- 
lieved from guard, I noticed that there was a good deal of ex- 
citement down in the city among the corner-loungers, who 
were talking loud and making motions as if to shoot. They 
must have heard bad news from their side, 

In the evening Gov. Childs came to our quarters and ordered 
all hands under arms, saying that he had information that a 
large force was moving on this city with six pieces of artillery. 
The order was cheerfully obeyed with cheers and cries of " Let 
them come ! " The governor went away laughing, when some 
one back in the corner hallooed out, "' Who cut your hair ?" 
Some one answered, " Col. Childs." This caused a laugh. 
The Colonel, while walking away, couldn't help but laugh 
himself, saying, " Oh, never mind the hair order." Another 
great laqgh, and cheers for Governor Childs, after which we 
all went on the ramparts to watch the enemy, but no guerillas 
showed themselves to-night, 

Saturday, August 21, 1847. — This morning the Mexicans 
have a report that our train, under Gen. Patterson, was driven 
back tq Plan del Riq, and that Gen. Patterson had to send 

IT 



258 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

back to Vera Cruz for more re-enforcements so as to carry him 
to the Castle of Perote. All these reports come from the 
Mexicans. We place very little confidence in all these rumors 
and in particular this one ; for there is not force enough be- 
tween this and Vera Cruz to drive two thousand American 
troops to the gulf. Besides this, Capt. Walker, with his Texan 
Rangers, are constantly on the road from Perote to Plan del 
Rio to keep the National Road open. Again we have no news 
of Gen. Robert Patterson being on the way to Perote. 

This evening, while my friend William Eurick, familiarly 
called " Bob " by his comrades, was on guard at the quartermas- 
ter's department, he noticed three agrizicnto (greasers) coming 
up the street. Bob challenged them to halt, telling them to 
leave, which they did, but soon afterwards came back again. 
Bob again challenged them, and told them to vamos, or he 
would tirar (shoot). They left, but cursoving que juramento 
(cursing and swearing), and they attempted to come the third 
time ; but this time Bob asked no question, but aimed and fired 
(disparar), hitting one of them in the knee, and the others 
correr Jiuires (ran away). Robert Eurick was no more troubled. 

Sunday, Aiigust 22, 1847. — This morning the stubborn and 
unfortunate Mexican who tried to tamper with our guard last 
evening, and who was shot in the knee by him, was brought 
to our quarters at San Jose, and had his wound dressed by 
Dr. Bunting, for which be thanked him, and was taken home, 
promising that he would never fool or tempt our guard again, 
also said (which I think was true) that he was borracho (drunk). 
He lives directly in the rear of our quarters. He said, also, 
that he was promised a commission in their army provided he 
killed so many Americanos. 

At noon I was again put on guard. I begin to think my 
time to go on guard comes too often. I think that I am im- 
posed upon by men who are as brave at the table and in as 
good health as I am, but when duty calls them, they all at 
once become suddenly ill with the diarrhoea and can't go on 
guard for fear oi-r-r— themselves. I shall keep an account 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 259 

of those who go on guard and those who do not. It rained 
nearly all day, making it unpleasant for guard duty. In the 
evening while on post, I had the pleasure to witness a regu- 
lar fandango (fight) between two Mexican senoritas fighting 
for about fifteen minutes, all about a senor. They were finally 
taken by the city police to their homes, and not to the lock-up, 
as is the case in Philadelphia or New Orleans. 

Monday, Angnst 23, 1847. — This morning no nuevas of any 
importance from Gen. Scott of how he is making out on his 
new route to the city of Mexico. 

At noon some twenty odd lancers made their appearance in 
the plaza, and such another scattering and running o( greasers 
to and fro I never saw. The police engaged them, and, after 
several rounds of firing, the guerillas left, threatening to come 
back soon with a stronger force. The Alcalda is doing his 
best to keep those guerillas out of the city as long as he can. 
The law-obeying citizens fear these guerilla thieves more than 
they do us Yankee soldiers. 

During this little excitement in town we were again ordered 
on the ramparts, expecting that they might attempt to disturb 
us; but they took good care not even to show themselves any- 
where near us. 

This evening several Pennsylvania v^olunteers who belong 
to the Second Regiment, who were left here in the hospital, 
died, and were consigned to their resting-place near our 
quarters. 

To night all seems quiet again^no firing. 

Tuesday, August 24, i847.-^This morning, while we were 
sitting around our breakfast^table and thinking of nothing 
except eating and drinking our bread and coffee, Gov. Childs 
came into our quarters -vyitb a piece of paper in his hand, 
smilingly saying, " Men, I have good news." Our men sprang 
to their feet and gathered around the Governor as near as they 
could, with their eyes and ears wide open. He then read the 
letter, stating that Gen. Scott with his gallant little army had 
fought three battles near the city of Mexico, on the 19th and 



260 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

20th insts., and that our army was victorious in all these bat- 
tles, defeating and routing Gen. Santa Anna's army in all 
directions. Friends should have seen the joy, enthusiasm, 
and shaking of hands, throwing their caps up in the air, shout- 
ing and lifting high hosannas to freedom's triumphs. The 
news was soon spread among the rest of the men. 

Wednesday, August 25, 1847. — This morning I find the 
soldiers still much rejoiced over the glorious news from Gen. 
Scott at the capital. The victory of our army before the cap- 
ital has saved our little band from being massacred or driven 
to the Gulf of Mexico. 

During the day several squads of our men went from one 
quarters to another, giving cheers for Gen, Scott and our 
army ; yet, at the same time, we could not forget Gen. Scott 
for not letting us participate in those glorious victories, but 
we may (as Gen. Scott said) have enough of fighting to do 
here in this city before the war is over, and be in as grand a 
battle-scene as in the city of Mexico or valley. Time will tell. 
Our communication to Ferote Castle and Vera Cruz is now 
cut off, and, like the first conqueror, Cortez, we will either 
have to fight our way through or die in this tierrcs calicntes. 

The Mexicans were thunderstruck when they heard the 
news from the city of Mexico. They boasted that our army 
would be defeated before the capital. They don't know what 
to think of it ; it has quieted them down, and they have little 
to say. 

This afternoon news arrived in this city that Gen. Patterson 
had a fight at our old battle-ground, Cerro Gordo Pass, with 
the guerillas, defeating them, and marched on to Jalapa City, 
and there encamped for the present, We all hope the report 
may be true ; but we have poor hopes of it being true — in 
fact, our officers have no information of any train being under 
the command of Gen. Robert Patterson. Ever since the bat- 
tle of Cerro Gordo I thought very little gf Gen. Patterson as a 
general, yet I hope, since he has been home to recruit his 
health and strength, that he also may have recruited lumself 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 261 

in courage and bravery. Come on, Gen. Patterson, we will 
all greet you with a hearty welcome ! 

In the evening news came to Gov. Childs that the guerillas 
were strengthening their forces by re-enforcements from the 
city of Mexico. They surely can't be Gen. Santa Anna's 
men ; he wants them to defend the city of Mexico. These 
guerillas are raving mad since Gen. Santa Anna's defeat, and 
are cursing the Yankees all hollozv. Poor fellows, they are 
dismayed and struck with horror at their defeat ! 

Thursday, August 26, 1847. — This morning we saw the 
Mexicans in different grupa (groups), talking and seeming to 
be in deep conversation — no doubt planning some scheme to 
make an attack upon our quarters. Some of our men could 
plainly hear them making considerable estrepito que fanfarron 
(noise and boasting) about how they would treat us when 
they make the attack on us ; but all such boasting and brag- 
ging do not alarm us, for we are used to them long ago. 

About 10 o'clock, A. M., an express came from Guadaloupa 
Heights, which is guarded by Capt. Turner G. Morehead, 
of Co. G, P'irst Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, stating 
that a party of guerillas had succeeded in breaking open the 
mule-yard, and were driving off the mules (in all about seven 
hundred head) towards Atlixco— -driving them fast. 

The wagon-master who had charge of the mules, and was 
temporarily absent, with some five or six of his teamsters, 
mounted on horses and went in pursuit of them ; but they had 
not gone far before our men overtook the guerillas and had a 
sharp skirmish, killing one guerilla and wounding several 
others. But our men were soon overpowered by a large force, 
before unseen, and had to fall back to their quarters for more 
re-enforcements. Capt. Small, on hearing of the result, went 
to Gov. Childs, and asked permission to mount his company 
and go in pursuit of the thieving guerillas and recapture the 
mules ; but Gov. Childs refused the permission on account of 
our force being too limited. Finally a party was made up of 
wagon-masters, teamsters, army followers and some soldiers, 



262 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

including several of the quartermaster's department — number- 
ing in all thirty-two men of all grades — all mounted on spir- 
ited horses. The soldiers who went with this daring party are 
Morris Stemler, Alburtus Welsh, of our company (C), Mr. 
Priest of Co. I, Mr Longstaff of Co. K — all of the First Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers. Several others and myself 
wanted to go along, but were unable to procure horses and 
saddles to be ready in time to go with them. 

The party formed in front of our quarters, and after every- 
thing was ready, they started off under the command of a 
wagon-master and Lieutenant Sperry, of the Second Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers. They passed on through the 
city in the direction where the guerillas were last seen. The 
blanket gentlemen were of course all standing on the street 
corners and the National Road and on tops of houses and 
church steeples, watching the movement of our men. They 
hadn't gone far before our men met a large force of well- 
mounted lancers and guerillas. We could, from our quarters, 
plainly see our men following the lancers. At last they 
charged on the lancers, who then fled. 

Most all of our men were on the ramparts, and we could 
see our men going in hot pursuit of our stolen mules. When 
our men had arrived at a small stream, which crossed the road, 
they found out that the guerillas had driven the mules up 
through the water for the purpose of avoiding detection. Our 
men followed them until they came to the foot of a steep hill, 
when suddenly five or six guerillas sprang out from behind a 
cluster of trees and fired upon our men, but doing no damage, 
except wounding one horse. The guerillas ran into a wild 
brush of trees, where horses could not follow. Yet we on the 
ramparts could see the guerillas retreating down on the other 
side of the hill, towards an old building at the foot. 

Here we noticed our men were forming into line of battle, and 
charged after the guerillas who were in a terrible terror, and be- 
ing ignorant of the field of oiir observation, gained on the lancers 
at every jump the horses made. They kept following them in 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 263 

full charge, until a large force of lancers were seen coming 
out from under the cover of a grove of trees or chaparral, 
numbering over three hundred lancers, who charged by a flank 
movement upon our little band of thirty-two men, but our men 
in an instant turned their horses and faced them, and fought 
like so many lions. But seeing that they were overpowered 
by re-enforcements, and their (our) ranks getting thinner, had 
to retreat, but not until nearly the whole band was either 
killed or wounded, and out of thirty-two that started only ten 
men returned to tell the tale of the guerilla fight of August 
26, 1847. The rest were either killed or taken prisoners. 
Those who returned say that it was one of the most stubborn 
fights of the war, and had our men about fifty more men they 
could have whipped them and recaptured the mules. 

In the evening thirteen of the unfortunate young men, who 
were in this guerilla fight, were brought in on a cart by a 
Mexican, dead, and mutilated in a most horrible manner. 
Every one was stripped astro (stark) naked of their clothing. 
Some of them were lanced no less than ten times in their 
breast and body. 

This sad affair has caused great excitement in our quarters, 
and we are all threatening to avenge the blood of these poor 
victims. 

This evening Gov. Childs issued orders that on and here- 
after, no parties or companies would be allowed to go out in 
pursuit of the enemy, unless they had an order from him. 

Friday, August 27, 1847. — This morning another one of the 
unfortunate victims was brought in by the Mexican on an old 
cart. He said that he found him laying on the road stripped of 
everything he had on him, and his body horribly butchered and 
mutilated. He was washed, and then laid out with the rest of 
his butchered comrades. The dead bodies were viewed by 
nearly the whole garrison ; after which they were consigned to 
their last resting place. 

This outrage and butchering of these men has cast a deep 
gloom over our little army of Puebla, and it will be a warning 



264 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

to me and others not to venture out in so small bodies. But, 
mark you, retribution and vengeance will yet come upon those 
thieving guerillas. 

I am pleased to see that my friend Alburtus Welsh made 
good his escape. He was hotly pursued by two guerillas, but 
their horses gave out, by this time Mr. Welsh ran his horse 
into a well-stalked, green corn-field, and there hid himself 
from the view of these guerillas until dark last evening, when 
he came to our quarters much exhausted. He said it was the 
narrowest escape from death that he had ever experienced in all 
his life. He says that he knows nothing of Morris Stemler and 
John Longstaff, as when they were attacked by the unseen 
forces everyone looked out for himself; but he thinks that 
when they saw that it was all up with them they threw down 
their arms and surrendered themselves as prisoners, but what 
their fate will be God only knows, because the guerillas 
seldom take any prisoners ; but there is one thing, they were 
captured in Uncle Sam's uniform, which they are bound to 
respect. So we hope and trust that the blood-thirsty and 
angry portion of these guerillas may have cooled down and 
spared the lives of the prisoners, and exchange them as 
prisoners. 

In the evening Lieut. Sperry, of the Second Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers (who was with the party yesterday), 
was brought in dead, and stripped of everything. His body 
was badly mutilated, and was stabbed five times in the breast 
and one big stab in the back. Lieut. Sperry's regiment is 
with the main army, now battling in the Valley of Mexico, 
The time his regiment left he (Lieut. Sperry) was left here in 
the hospital with the complaint of diarrhea, and had so far 
recovered that he could do duty, and joined the mule party as 
a volunteer officer, and led the charge, and, unfortunately, lost 
his life. 

The {qw who returned speak in the highest terms of him, as 
one of the bravest and most daring officers in the army. I saw 
him frequently before he was killed, and I must say that I 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 265 

considered him the best uniformed and finest-looking officer 
belonging to our whole garrison. He was a well and highly 
educated young man. He was beloved and esteemed by all 
who knew him. Lieut. Sperry belonged to Capt. Naylor's 
company, Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and 
hailed from Philadelphia, Pa. 

Saturday, August 28, 1847. — This morning news from Gauda- 
loupa Heights stating that the train was coming from Amozo- 
quco road. Their belief was from the dust they saw at a distance 
on the road, but when they came nearer they saw that it was 
the lancers, and saw them stop and encamp on the same place 
where our men had the fight with the guerillas rfie other day. 
At noon they rode into the city and commenced to open stores 
and private houses, for the purpose of plundering them. The 
police and some of the citizens engaged them, and for a half 
an hour the firing was very brisk, and finally the Third 
Dragoons came riding in the quarters, and I really thought 
that the lancers were right on top of us. We hurried up on 
the ramparts with our muskets, and had our mouths full of 
dinner. We staid here until 3 o'clock, p. m. 

There seems to be a great deal of shooting down in the 
plaza among the Mexicans themselves, and our spies informs 
us that the city policemen were obliged to get upon the house 
tops and fire therefrom on the guerillas. 

In the evening all seemed quiet about or near our quarters. 

At 1 1 o'clock, p. M., we were suddenly called up by a great 
firing in the plaza, but it soon died away, and we again laid 
ourselves down not to sleep, because these infernal grcascjs 
will not let us sleep, but to rest and watch. 

Sunday, August 29, 1847. — This morning a Frenchman came 
to our quarters in a great hurry, and very much excited, stating 
that the guerillas had some of our diarrhoea men shut up in 
a church, and they were going to kill them, and would have 
done so had it not been for some of the Mexican women inter- 
fering. Gov. Childs sent word to Lieut. -Col. Black, saying 
that these sick soldiers must be rescued if possible. So Col. 



266 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Black formed a company of men and marched to the plaza, 
right in front of the bishop's palace, and there demanded the 
release of our sick men, or else we would blow up the Cathe- 
dral. The bishop told Col. Black to retreat to quarters, and 
he would see that our men were safely delivered as soon as 
the mob had dispersed. So our men marched back to their 
quarters, and sure enough, it was not long afterwards, news 
reached us that the guerillas were dashing into the plaza and 
were again trying to get hold of our sick men, but the citizens 
and women particularly, prevented the guerillas from taking 
our men ; hearing of this second outrage we were again 
formed into line and marched to the plaza ; the street at this 
time was full of greasers, and we expected to have a fight 
with them. 

As soon as we arrived at the Cathedral we instantly sur- 
rounded it, and Col. Black ordered that the doors be opened, 
if not, he would burst them open, they were nol opened, so 
orders were given, and we burst open the doors and relieved 
our men who were prisoners and marched them up to Gov. 
Childs' headquarters, where they received a severe reprimand. 

Our men whom we left in their quarters when we went after 
our men were quite surprised to see us come back without 
having a fight with the guerillas, as the streets were full of 
them. 

In the evening. Gov. Childs received a letter from Gen. 
Rea, stating that he had several American prisoners, including 
three officers, whom he would willingly exchange for some 
Mexican prisoners who are in our possession ; but Gov. Childs 
could not agree to Gen Rea's proposition. It seems that 
Gen. Rea wanted the Mexican prisoners released first, but 
Gov. Childs couldn't see it in that light, and of course there 
was no exchange. 

About an hour or so afterward Gen. Rea issued a proclama- 
tion to the citizens of Puebla. He states his grievances in 
failing to exchange prisoners, or to come to any terms with 
the Yankee Governor ; that he was about to make an effort to 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 267 

drive these uncompromising Yankees out of this city, and he 
now appeals to the friends of the great Republico of Mexico 
to rise and aid him in the glorious cause ; a cause which is 
for the Holy Catholic Church and his country's right. Rally ! 
rally ! take up arms and assist him, Gen. Rea, in his determi- 
nation to strike the blow and drive the garrison of Puebla 
back to the Castle Perote, then he. Gen. Rea, would be able 
to cut up Gen. Scott's army in the rear, now before the city 
of Mexico ; winding up by saying rally, rally Mexicans, and 
let us drive these Yankees who neither believe in God, Christ, 
devil, hell or anything else. 

We all laughed at this proclamation, and we are not much 
afraid that the citizens of Puebla will rally around his standard 
or his holy cause, for they have been humbugged and bam- 
boozled so often before that they will not be in a hurry again. 
In fact, even if they did rally, they couldn't drive us from our 
quarters without a great loss to themselves. 

About 1 1 o'clock, p. M., the Frenchman, who by-the-by is a 
particular friend to us, came to our quarters and informed 
Col. Black that the Mexicans would make an attack on Fort 
Loretto. So, on the strength of this news, Company I and 
K, both of our regiment, were sent up to the fort to re-enforce 
the garrison, and the rest of our men were ordered up on the 
ramparts of San Jose, to be ready to assist in case of an 
attack. 

Also, that the Mexican forces are now over three thousand, 
all under the command of Gen. Rea, but we don't care how 
strong the enemy may be, we wouldn't feel any ways uneasy, 
for we in our different positions are strongly fortified, besides, 
we have determined and pledged ourselves to hold on to our 
quarters to the last. 

Our Adjutant informed us to-night, that we haven't five 
hundred soldiers fit for active duty, yet with this small force 
we have to hold three positions, San Jose, Fort Loretto and 
Guadaloupa Heights; besides this, we have a hospital of 
nearly fifteen hundred sick to protect from falling into the 
hands of the guerillas. 



268 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Also, that the diarrhoea blues who had been released from 
the church this morning, were lodged in the guard-house for 
disobedience of Gov. Childs' orders. 

Twelve o'clock to-night, and no prospect of an attack from 
the enemy, everything is very quiet. We are beginning to 
think that the enemy have again postponed the attack until 
some more suitable time. Some of our men would jokingly 
remark, " Oh, I wish they would come or else do one thing 
or the other, either make the often promised attack or leave 
the city and let us rest in peace." 

It seems strange that these gallant lancers in their splendid 
uniforms, and with their fine equipments, and with their un- 
folded standards, making everything ready for an assault upon 
us poor Yankees, and when the approaching hour comes, 
even to the very last minute, they lack the courage and back 
out, their boasting and much pretended courage fails them 
and falls like a withered leaf in the fall of the year. 

Monday, August 30, 1847. — This morning all seems quiet 
again, and the two companies who were sent to Fort Loretto 
last evening returned without having any cowhatis (battle). 

It is now rumored (and it seems to come from pretty good 
authority) that Gen. Scott and Gen. Santa Anna have agreed 
upon an armistice to cease all hostilities of both armies now in 
Mexico for thirty days, for the purpose of giving the two 
powers a chance to negotiate for peace. This is probably the 
cause the enemy did not make the attack on Fort Loretto last 
night. The same reason for everything b^^ng so quiet; in fact 
it was the general remark among our men, saying how quiet 
everything is this morning. 

At noon our company (C) received orders to go to Fort 
Loretto this evening ; not knowing but what the enemy 
might play opossum on us. 

So after supper we started for the fort, and I shall ever 
remember it. A storm came up and the rain fell in torrents all 
night; it was dark, and the stormy wind had a large scope in 
and around the fort, dashing the rain drops into our faces. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 2G9 

One of our sentinels was attacked by several Mexicans who 
threw stones at him. The sentinel hallooed out to them to 
vamose, but to this the Mexicans paid no attention. So, of 
course, the only remedy our sentinel had was to shoot at them, 
which he did, and the result was, one was shot and the 
rest fled. After this the sentinel called for the Sergeant of the 
guard, who promptly obeyed the sentinel ; telling the Sergeant 
what took place, and that he thought from the groans he 
heard that he must have shot one of the Mexicans. The 
Sergeant, to satisfy himself, went to the supposed spot, and, 
sure enough, found the Mexican laying on the ground with part 
of his entrails shot out, and suffering in great agony. He was 
picked up and taken into Fort Loretto, but soon died. He 
looked horrible. The cause of his misfortune was just. He 
had no right or business in that neighborhood, nor to throw 
stones at our sentinel or any other soldier at that hour of the 
night. 

Tuesday, August 'i,\, 1847. — This morning the rain and storm 
ceased, and the sun rose clear, but the wind still blew very 
hard, and the black clouds overhead scudded along at a rapid 
rate to the northward. 

At 8 o'clock, A. M., we returned to our quarters much soaked 
from the storm and heavy rain of last night. 

After breakfast we dried our blankets and clothing by the 
fire, and hung them in the dry wind. 

At noon Cos. A and I, of our regiment, were notified to go 
to Fort Loretto to-night. Our men say they can't account 
for this double duty, and particularly when there is an 
armistice agreed upon to cease hostilities until some arrange- 
ment is made about peace ; but I suppose Gov. Childs knows 
better what is going on than us poor miserable privates or 
Corporals. There is not much astir, everything seems very quiet. 

This afternoon there is a report that Gov. Childs and Gen. 
Rea have exchanged several prisoners. I hope it may be 
true, for we would love to see our boys again to see how they 
look, and see whether they have improved on the Mexican 
rations. 



270 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

It is rumored, and in fact confirmed by the Alcalda, that 
Gen. Paredas.a distinguished officer of the Mexican army and 
of the Repubhc of Mexico, was secretly and safely landed at 
Vera Cruz about the 15th inst., by the British mail steamer 
" Teviott." This has caused quite a stir among the officers 
and soldiers of our army, to think that our blockaders at Vera 
Cruz are not more watchful, and look out for these scamps. 
They must have either been drunk or asleep. 

About 3 o'clock, A. M., Mr. William H. Briggs, of our 
company, died of diarrhoea. He had the strongest and 
loudest voice, and could halloo louder than any other soldier 
in Gen. Scott's army. He could frighten a whole regiment of 
Mexican soldiers. He was a good, jolly fellow, a good com- 
panion, and, the best of all, a good and brave soldier. He 
hailed from Philadelphia, Pa. 

To-day it has been hot and sultry. 

Late in the evening Mr. Briggs was buried with the usual 
honors. Capt. Small spoke eloquently on the life and character 
of the deceased. 

To-night I was put on picket-guard, and about midnight 
the report of an escopet was heard up in the neighborhood of 
the hospital. The Sergeant of the guard was promptly on 
the spot, but nothing could be seen on account of the darkness 
of the night. So the Sergeant went back to the guard-house 
quarters. He told me that one of our soldiers (a prisoner) 
escaped from the guard-house with a musket in hand. 

Wt'dnesday, September i, 1847. — This morning at daylight 
I saw one of our men laying dead in the street, only a few 
squares from my picket post, shot through the forehead. He 
was one of our sick soldiers from the hospital. What he was 
doing out at that time of night in this neighborhood is un- 
known to his friends. 

This should be another warning for those who venture out 
beyond the picket-guard ; in fact it is a wonder that the 
sentinel stationed near the hospital did not shoot the diarrhoea 
blue himself 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 271 

After I was released from guard-duty I was told that the 
prisoner who made his escape from the guard-house was one 
of our picket-guards. So much the worse for him if he is 
ever caught. 

At noon an express arrived from Gen. Scott stating 
that the hostility between the two armies before the city of 
Mexico had ceased for thirty days, and that the Commissioners 
were about to meet to negotiate for peace. 

Thus the rumor of the other day is fully confirmed by 
Gen. Scott's orders. 

In the afternoon two companies were detailed to go to Fort 
Loretto, also ten men from each company, to lay on the 
ramparts. 

It is rumored this evening that the Alcalda is going to resign 
his commission in a few days, on account of the Bishop re- 
fusing to uphold the agreement and laws of Puebla. 

This would be a sad affair to us, for he is a good Mayor. 
He trys to enforce the laws to keep peace and order. 

To-night it rained intensely, and those who were detailed to 
go on the ramparts got soaked through, otherwise everything 
was quiet. 

Thursday, September 2, 1847. — This morning early the rain 
ceased. The men who were on the ramparts all last night 
came down and dried their blankets ; complaining that they 
were cold, wet and hungry. 

About 8 o'clock, a. m., the guerillas brought some of their 
prisoners to the Alcalda's office for safe keeping, but the Al- 
calda gave them such poor satisfaction that they thought it 
was best to take them back again to their own rendezvous. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., the guerillas made a bold dash into the 
plaza, and succeeded in driving off one of our wagon-masters 
and captured a wagon loaded with fresh bread. So we were 
compelled to go without fresh bread. 

In the afternoon a flag of truce came into our quarters, es- 
corted by five lancers. Its result was, that the Mexicans 
wanted to meet a delecration of one hundred soldiers from our 



272 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

side halfway between this city and Chulula, and there make 
an arrangement to exchange, man for man, under a flag of 
truce; but Gov. Childs knows very well that there is no honor 
among thieves in disguise — that this plan was for the purpose 
of decoying our men into their clutches ; but nary a time. 
Gov. Childs is too well posted in their dirty tricks. He can't 
be fooled in that way. The Governor said, " Why don't these 
professed honorable lancers bring the American prisoners to 
the outside of our picket-lines, and there ask for an exchange 
of prisoners, man for man. This would look more like busi- 
ness in a fair way and honesty." Of course their request was 
not complied with, and they left with a flea in their ear, no 
doubt saying to themselves, " You can't fool these Yankees ; 
they are too sharp." 

To-day, Sergeant Johnston, of Co. G, First Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, died in the hospital. His company being 
stationed at Guadaloupa Heights, they could not leave their 
quarters to attend their dead comxrade's funeral, for fear the 
enemy might take advantage of their absence and make an 
attack on their quarters. Our company took charge of the 
dead comrade and buried him. Capt. Small, of our company, 
spoke and made some touching and feeling remarks about the 
deceased, and closed by saying that our dead soldier, Sergt. 
Johnston, had served out his enlistment with the army of our 
land away from home. 

In the evening I understood that an arrangement had been 
made between Gov. Childs and Gen. Rea to have an interview 
in order to make some arrangement to exchange prisoners. 

This has been the third time that an arrangement of this 
kind h?s been made, but always failed. Whether they will 
succeed this time or not, to-morrow will tell ; and I hope that 
they may come to some terms and exchange our men, for we 
all know they would feel rejoiced in coming back again. 

Friday, September 3, 1847. — This morning, by an agree- 
ment between Gov. Childs and Gen. Rea, they were to meet 
and make some arrangements to exchange prisoners. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 273 

Gov. Childs was to proceed to Gaudaloupa Heights, the 
place selected to meet, and there wait until Gen. Rea made 
his appearance on the Amozoquco Road, and then to advance 
and make the final arrangements. 

Gov. Childs with his escort of fifty of Capt. Ford's Third 
Cavalry and Co. A, of the Fourth Artillery, under Capt. 
Miller, were on the spot at the appointed time. Here they 
waited for over one hour after the time set, and, finding that 
the moral and gallant Gen. Lorenzo Rea did not make his 
appearance, our men returned sadly disappointed in not seeing 
Gen. Rea and to make the exchange. 

It was also a disappointment to us who were left behind in 
not seeing our men exchanged, and particularly our young 
friend Morris Stemler, (familiarly called Johnny Bull,) who is 
a jolly young fellow ; he used to tell us many stories about 
the young gals who used to come in his tailor store on North 
Second street, Philadelphia. 

In the afternoon hand-bills were posted up on the street 
corners, calling on the citizens to rise up in arms and assist 
him. Gen. Rea, in driving these condenabli^ (damnable) Yankees 
out of Puebla City. 

In the evening another flag of truce came to Gov. Child's 
quarters, making an apologia (apology), stating the reason why 
Gen. Rea did not come to meet him yesterday. The reason 
given we did not hear, yet it must have been satisfactory to 
Gov. Childs, for he made arrangements again to meet Gen. Rea 
to-morrow at noon, at the Saint Augustine Church, there to 
exchange prisoners. We all hope it may be a success, for our 
men would be rejoiced at their liberation. 

Sat2irday, September 4, i947- — This morning there was not 
much of anything going on, except the general talk among 
our men of the prospect of exchanging prisoners. 

At noon, Gov. C}"ii|d^ and his usual escort, (our company 
being one of the escort,) proceeded toward the Saint Augustine 
Church by the way of Tivola Garden, and sure enough, there 
18 



274 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

for the first time, met Gen. Rea and his escort, which con- 
sisted of his whole force now stationed in and around Puebla. 
About five or six hundred Lancers and guerillas, and about 
fifteen hundred Infantry. The Lancers were dressed in 
splendid uniforms and were well mounted. The Infantr)' Gen. 
Rea had stationed behind the Saint Augustine Church in a 
large corn-field, partly out of our view, but we could plainly see 
these yellow umbras peeping at us from behind the corn- 
field. 

We watched their movements, and we could see that the 
Infantry were not so well clad as the Lancers. Finally, Gen. 
Rea with about fifty Lancers, (leaving his main force in the 
corn-field,) came riding up to the church ; during this move- 
ment there seemed to be a little excitement among the enemy, 
and we could see the Mexicans peeping out from behind the 
corn-fields. We were all ready and waiting for them if they 
made any attempt at foul play. We had about three hundred 
well and sick Yankees (as Gen. Rea calls us,) laying low in 
the Tivola Garden, (which is a splendid place, well shaded with 
large trees,) waiting for fear the Mexicans would attempt to 
make a break on us who were with Gov. Childs. But this 
fuss was all for nothing ; Gen. Rea told Gov. Childs 
that he, Gen. Rea, had turned all the American prison- 
ers over to his Government, and he had no more to do 
with them ; but he assured Gov. Childs that the prisoners 
would be well treated. After an hour or so of conversation, 
they parted, and the parting was like that of two old friends 
who haven't saw each other for some time ; but that's the way 
in time of war. They also made a proposition to cease further 
hostilities until they received orders from their Government 
as they were now negotiating for peace at the capital of 
Mexico. So ends the fourth attempt of the exchanging business. 

Sunday, September 5, 1847. — This morning there is nothing 
talked about except peace, and, as a fellow says, the voice of 
peace js whispered all around. If Gen. Scott thinks it is time 
to make it, let it be soon but honorable ; if he thinks that 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 275 

peace can be accomplished without shedding any more pre- 
cious blood, let us have it. At noon we saw a few lancers 
playing about outside the city. In the evening one of the 
diarrhoea blues was attacked by three Mexicans while on post, 
(^ne caught hold of his musket, while the other two tried to 
kill him, and they came very near carrying out their devilish 
design. They cut his skin clear across his throat, and he only 
escaped by hallooing for the Sergeant of the guard. The 
Mexicans succeeded in making their escape. 

Monday, September 6, 1847. — This morning we saw several 
lancers at the suburbs of the city going through their ma- 
ncieuvres in the way of drilling. This afternoon Gov. Childs 
came to our quarters and told us that he expects that Gen. 
Scott will be successful in concluding peace between the two 
armies. This evening the report is that Gen. Rea has declared 
war on his own hook, he not being pleased with the reception 
the good and intelligent people of Puebla gave him when he 
made his last appeal for them to rise and drive those Yankees 
out. There is no news of our train from Vera Cruz or from 
the city of Mexico. 

Tuesday^ September 7, 1847. — This morning news came from 
Guadaloupa Heights, stating that the train was in sight. This 
raised a great joy among our soldiers, who were preparing to 
receive them. The dragoons were ordered out to escort the 
train into town; but while we were rejoicing, it turned out to 
be the Mexican army advancing upon Puebla. Gov. Childs 
ordered the long roll beat, and all soldiers to get under arms 
and prepare for a bloody battle. Every soldier is now halloo- 
ing out, " Hurrah for a fight ! We are ready for them ; let 
them come, if they dare ! " Gov. Childs, with the Third Dra- 
goons, went out to reconnoitre the Mexican army, and at the 
same time Cos. A and K, First Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers, proceeded to the Tivola Garden, and there laid in 
ambush to support Gov. Childs and his party, they fearing 
the Mexican army would attempt to surround Gov. Childs. 
The Mexicans now halted about two miles from the city on a 



276 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

plain, and formed into line of battle — so all soldiers on the 
ramparts. Our officers are seen going from one post to an- 
other, saying to the men, "The Mexicans are coming; we will 
surely have a big fight now." 

Twelve o'clock to-night. — No attack yet. Oh, we wish 
they would not fool us so much ! 

Wednesday, September 8, 1847. — This morning we all looked 
for the Mexican army, but could not see them, they having 
moved from their position of last evening. At noon we learned 
that Gen. Rea, with his force of three thousand men, passed 
through this city last night, then countermarched back to, no 
doubt, Amozoquco, there to wait for the up train, which is now 
overdue. 

In the afternoon three marines were put in the guard-house 
for being drunk and disorderly. They belong to Major Twigg's 
command, and were left here sick in the hospital. 

This evening it is rumored that hostilities have again com- 
menced in the city of Mexico. 

Thursdaj', September C), i847- — This morning there is great 
excitement in the city — being All Feasts Day. The citizens 
had a grand parade. They marched through the principal 
streets, carrying banners, lighted candles and crosses, headed 
by a Catholic priest in full popery dress. They were accom- 
panied by several fine bands of music — in fact, I saw more 
Mexicans to-day than I ever saw here at one time. They all 
behaved themselves well, and everything passed off quietly, 
and when the parade passed near our quarters. Gov. Childs 
ordered us all up on the ramparts of Quartel San Jose, to 
show ourselves in a body, to show these Mexicans that there 
are still a few Yankees left in and about Puebla City. 

In the afternoon several extra papers were published in this 
city, giving an account of the great feast day and praising the 
large parade, also about Gen. Santa Anna, accusing him of 
cobardio (cowardice) at or before the city of Mexico- — accusing 
Santa Anna of selling the battles to Gen. Scott. Yes, Yankee 
blood bought and paid dearly for all the bat:tles fpught in the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 277 

Valley of Mexico. Their cry in the city of Mexico is, " Death 
to Gen. Santa Anna and the danado (damned) Yankees ! " 
It also has a strong vindication of Gen. Valincie, who, it 
seems, commanded the F.l Penon Pass, which pass had to be 
abandoned by the Mexican forces, on account of Gen. Scott 
OLit-generalling Gen. Valincie, by countermarching around it. 
This plainly shows that there is ill feeling between Gens. Santa 
Anna and Valincie, and may cause trouble between them. 

Friday^ September lo, 1847. — To-day is the Mexican thirty- 
seventh anniversary of the revolution of Hidalgo, it having 
taken place on the loth of September, 1810, and independence 
was declared September 16, 18 10. I noticed to-day that there 
was a great deal of excitement among the citizens, whether it 
is on account of their anniversary or other unseen instigacion 
(excitement) I am not able to state, but from their cheers and 
crys its between the friends of Gens. Santa Anna and Valincie, 
the citizens mostly decide with Gen. Valincie, but the soldiers 
are with their old friend Gen. Santa Anna. There seems to be 
a good deal of entusiasuio among the poor and middle classes 
of people, and we can hear them gritar (cry) to rally to the 
repitblicana bandero (banner), and for Gen. Minion as their 
Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican army ; and this shows the 
temper and feeling among the Mexican people, and it looks as 
if poor Santa Anna was losing ground and the good will of his 
people. There is one thing sure — 'Gen. Santa Anna will have 
to do something for his country soon, or his people will be 
after him with a hot stick. 

In the afternoon, my friend, Jacob Banner, of our company, 
who some time ago went to the hospital, died in that institution 
to-day, after a protracted illness, which, like most of them, was 
caused by exposure to this tierres ealientes. He hailed from 
Little York, Pa., and was one of the party that left that little 
town and joined our company at Harrisburg, Pa. ; he, like 
his comrades, left with a stout heart and patriotism for the 
present war with Mexico ; he was a good companion and a 
good soldier ; his impulses were generous, and his actions the 



278 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

fruition of noble instincts ; his character was perfect ; he was 
exceptionally moral, without a single defective habit ; he was 
a jovial and a good-hearted man. It is true poor Jacob Ban- 
ner did not meet his death on the bloody battle-field, and 
victimized by a Mexican bullet, yet he sacrificed his life for 
his country's cause ; his death is much regretted by his friends 
— in fact, our whole company is much grieved at his loss, for 
he was obedient, made friends with all who came within the 
circle of his acquaintances ; enemies he had none in our whole 
regimental ranks, for such gentle natures give offence to no 
one, and we shall ever hail with the warmest affection his 
cherished memory ; and make him a hidden, quiet room, in 
the depth of our spirit's gloom, where, while we live, he may 
abide, shadowy, silent, sanctified. 

Revolution of Hidalgo, i8io. 

I will now, on this anniversary, citar (quote) extracts from 
different writers on the cause and variation of the revolution 
in Mexico against Spanish rule, which made an essential dif- 
ference as to the time required by Mexico to free herself from 
the miseries of Spanish rule. Here the civil commotions in 
Spain had so disturbed the rule of the so-called viceroys, that 
the old native Indian and mixed race element had easily and 
essentially observed its importance in solving the problem of 
future government. It was thus easy to incite them to insur- 
rection. Don Miguel Hidalgo, a cura (parson), who is the 
father of the Mexican independence, moved by public and 
private wrongs, headed the uprising and organized a force of 
1 10,000 Indians and mixed races. The success of the grand 
movement depended upon the Creoles — a powerful and fierce 
tribe — who then formed a large part of the forces of the regu- 
lar army, and had they sided with the Indians, the revolution 
would have been successful, and the country freed from the 
Spanish tyranny. Unfortunately for the Indian cause, the first 
body of the insurgents fired into the Creole troops and com- 
menced in the towns and villapes an indiscriminate massacre 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 279 

of old Spaniards and Creoles. This outrage united the Cre- 
oles for mutual defence, and for a time the most ruthless bar- 
barities were committed on both sides. 

Don Miguel defeated the Spaniards and Creoles, and pro- 
claimed the independence September i6, 1810, which inde- 
pendence is celebrated throughout all Mexico every year with 
great poniba and enthusiasm. 

The success of the revolution and the declaration of inde- 
pendence caused such an enthusiasm among the insurgents 
that the most fearful and terrible retribution was taken upon 
their oppressors, and for a time it appeared that the entire 
Spaniard and other European blood would be forced from the 
Mexican dominions. 

Had the insurgents been properly commanded, there is no 
doubt but that they might have swept every European from 
Mexico. 

The Church party (who, by-the-by, are never satisfied) at 
this time opposed the Don Miguel insurgent party, and the 
Archbishop of Mexico excommunicated them from the church 
in a body. 

Thus the insurgent cause was considerably weakened, and 
the lack of the necessary materials of war rendered it compar- 
atively easy for the regular and Creole forces to overthrow the 
insurgents. But it was not gained so easily. A terrible war 
of caste was waged with savage ferocity on both sides. Gen- 
eral Calleja met the insurgents and defeated them at Guanxuta, 
where he ordered General Augustine Iturbide to put fourteen 
thousand men, women and children to the sword ; for which 
barbarity he was created Mariscoldc Cainpo for distinguished 
services, decorated with the cross of the Order of Charles III. 
and appointed to the vice-royalty of Mexico. 

Thus Hidalgo, who was a good man, a popular leader, but 
a poor soldier, was defeated, and, through the treachery of 
one of his generals, Bustamento, was captured July 11, 181 1, 
and shot July 27, 181 1, at Chihuahua. 



280 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

After this horrible butchery the different States were divided, 
and waged war against one another until 1812, when another 
priest, named Jose Maria Morelos — formerly the Lieutenant- 
General of Hidalgo's army, assumed command of the inde- 
pendent insurgent army. Gen. Morelos established a Mexican 
Congress, and proclaimed that despots and bad government, 
not Hidalgo, were the real cause of the insurrection. The 
Congress appealed to the Creoles to join them in their struggle 
against the oppression of the dominant class — to join hands 
with them, and overthrow their power and marauding party. 
By this appeal Gen. Morelos was fortunate enough to hold 
the power of government until November 5, 181 5, when he 
was betrayed by one of his generals at Tepegahualco, and, as 
already stated, shot at the city of Mexico, December 22, 181 5. 

After this a guerilla warfare was carried on in almost every 
State, and it seems the poor Creoles suffered most by it. 
By this treatment the Creoles gradually began to take sides 
with the insurgents, and many valuable officers and men, in- 
cluding Gen. Iturbide, were added to the ranks of the insur- 
gents by desertion from the royalist forces. 

April, 181 7, another priest, named Xavier Meina, espoused 
the insurgent cause, but he was not only a poor leader but un- 
fortunate soldier. He achieved nothing but defeats, having 
but few followers. In November of the same year he was 
captured and executed. 

Guerilla warfare, under different leaders, was carried on until 
1820, when a considerable movement took place among the 
Creole forces in aid of the insurgents, or revolutionists, as they 
were then called, headed by their popular leader, Gen. Iturbide, 
of whom I will have more to say as I go along. 

Thus it is plain to be seen that the great number of revolu- 
tions which have taken place in Mexico since the Conqueror 
Cortez' rule have been as great in the sacrifices of human lives 
and the destruction of property as it was at any time under the 
rule and government of the Aztec, when all the people in the 
civilized world lifted up their hands and prayed for the ceasing 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 281 

of these numerous sacrifices. All the revolutions since Cortez' 
rule were caused by the Catholic Church rule, and it will be 
continued on as long as the vara (rod) of this church is held 
over their heads. 

There is no liberty here ; the high priest of the Catholic 
Church crushes the liberties of its people ; and I have never 
heard that a country ever prospered where a religious power 
rules or governs. Look at Rome, for instance — one time the 
finest and richest, as well as one of the most wicked cities in 
the world. The most cruel, perfidious, licentious, and aban- 
doned, and generally speaking, the wickedest men and women 
the world ever saw, figured in the history of the Eternal City. 
Literally, there were monsters in those days, and the greatest 
monsters were the priest and patrician, and not the plebeians 
or humble citizens. Oh, yes ! look at whole Italy, once so 
grand and noble, once the acknowledged ruler, held sway over 
nearly all the known world, as she sat in royal grandeur, en- 
throned on her scicn hills, now a miserable waste, divided into 
petty sovereignties, and a by-word for guilt and degradation ; 
all its glory and wealth has forever been banished by the 
system of the Roman Catholic Church, the sworn foe of re- 
ligious liberty. Oh, yes ! look at this city of Puebla — a fair 
and a most beautiful and the best planned city I have ever seen, 
situated in one of the most fertile and richest countries on 
earth ; yet, see the degradation and misery that prevails 
amongst its people — all under the Catholic rule, composed of 
the most ignorant, bigoted, and superstitious men in the world. 

Saturday, September ii, 1847. — This morning, on dress 
parade, the sentence was pronounced on those convicts by the 
court-martial, which broke up last evening. After the parade 
we entered upon the solemn duty of consigning our lamented 
comrade, Jacob Danner, to his final and long resting place ; 
from dust thou comest, and to dust thou must go. He was 
carried to the grave by four members of our company, viz. : 
Robert Eurick, Peter Ahl, William Patterson, and Thomas 
O'Neil. The flag of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, surrounded the pall. The funeral was followed to the 



282 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

grave by nearly all of our company and part of the garrison. 
He was buried with all the honors of war that is awarded 
to the departed soldiers; and I am free to say that he died 
fully prepared to meet his God. A breach is made in our 
company's ranks, a hero is gone to his long home. 

" How sleep the brave who sink to rest, 
With all then- country's wishes blest ; 
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold. 
Returns to bless their hallowed mould, 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod 
Than fancy feet have ever trod ; 
There honor comes, a pilgrim gray. 
To bless the turf that wraps their clay, 
And friendship will, awhile, repair, 
To dwell, a weeping hermit, there." 

There is nothing more affective, solemn and imposing than 
a military funeral. To listen to the roll of the muffled tumhor 
(drum), and the mournful music ; after the slow, steady and 
solemn tread of the escort, their arms and regimental colors 
hung with crape. All conspires to render it a touching scene 
as it passes on, and at the grave, when the remains of the de- 
parted comrade are laid in their final resting place, there is 
something thrilling .and sad, even in the report of the 
musketry, as the escort discharges their farewell volley over 
his lowly couch. 

Siniday, September 12, 1847. — This morning Robert Eurick, 
Alburtus Welsh and myself took a walk to Jacob Banner's 
grave, and put a neat head-board at its head, with the name of 
Jacob Banner, Co. C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
cut in the boards. After which Mr. Alburtus Welsh, a bosom 
friend of the deceased, took a sketch of his grave and sur- 
rounding scenery. 

The marking and naming of the head-board and sketching 
of the grave and scenery is done in case the friends of Mr. 
Banner wishing to take up his body, to take it to his native 
hills ; so that there can be no mistake in taking up the wrong 
bod)^ 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 283 

In the afternoon one of our spies came in out of the cit)', 
stating that the Mexican army is now laying out at the paper- 
mill, which is about four miles out of the city, with four pieces 
of artillery, and are making every preparation they can to 
make an attack on us. But he could not tell when the attack 
is to be made. We, of course, don't care when they make the 
attack, for we will be ready for them most any time ; in fact 
we would like to have a good little fight to enliven us up a 
little. 

This evening it is rumored among the Mexicans that the 
armistice between the two armies has terminated in rumpus. 
Gen. Scott could not agree to the Mexican terms. So the 
contest of strength is to be decided by the sword, and not by 
the pen. 

The reports have it that Gen. Santa Anna has, during the 
armistice, and while negotiating for peace, strongly fortified 
the city of Mexico, and strengthened the Castle of Chapultepcc. 
This shows the treacherous disposition of the Mexican 
Government, pretending to make peace, and, at same time, 
making strong preparations for war. Oh ! you infernal 
scoundrel; you ought to be hung on the first tree for your 
treasonable acts. 

Late this evening the enemy commenced to fire on our 
picket-guard very rapidly, which caused us to double the 
guards. We could hear them boast that Gen. Scott would 
have to fight before he could get into the city of Mexico. So 
the report must be true. 

To-night, at 12 o'clock, I was stationed at San Jose Church, 
others were placed on the ramparts of San Jose, for fear the 
guerillas might be foolish enough to attempt to make an 
attack on our quarters. Let them come ; we are waiting on 
our po.sts ; we are waiting on the ramparts ; we are all waiting 
for you to come and try your luck on us boys, but you dare 
not come. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Siege of puebla — American forces, three hundred and 

eighty-four effective men mexican forces, from 

two thousand to eight thousand despatches from 

gen. scott he is victorious in all his engagements 

in the valley — he captures the capital, and tri- 
umphantly marches into the plaza de la con.stitu- 

tion, mexico. september i4, 1 847 great excitement 

and joy prevailed among our troops — gen. santa anna 
arrives at the outskirts of puebla city^ he de- 
mands the surrender of the american forces of 

puebla col. childs most emphatically refuses to 

surrender the twenty'-sixth anniversary of augus- 
tus iturbida, of mexican independence: — gen. santa 
anna makes several attempts to drive our forces 

out, but, as usual, defeated in every attempt 

gen' santa anna left puebla to meet gen. joseph 

lane ringing of church bells firing of rockets 

and great rejoicing among our men arrival of gen. 

lane with fifteen hundred troops street fights 

death of captain samuel h. walker, the texan ranger. 

Monday, September 13, 1847. — This morning, one of our 
soldiers whom the lancers had taken prisoner some time ago 
made good his escape. He tells us some hard yarns about 
the Mexicans — how they used and threatened and fed him. 
He says that the Mexicans have six pieces of artillery, six 
pounders, and about two thousand lancers and one thousand 
infantry ; the lancers are well clothed and drilled, but the in- 
fantry are poorly clad, armed, and drilled ; and he also says 
that their whole argument and talk is, that they will not spare 
the life of a single Yankee when the attack is made; they are 
recruiting fast, mostly all young men from this city ; also, 
there is an American soldier, with a cut on his cheek, on Gen. 
Rea's staff; this must be the soldier who, while on guard, sold 
(284) 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 285 

his musket to the enemy, making an excuse that the enemy 
crept up behind him and took it from him ; for this he was 
put in the guard-house, from which, in a few days afterwards, 
he made good his escape ; he also says that the enemy had 
him employed nearly all the time in carrying corn, barley, etc.; 
and while the Mexican sentinels were talking to one another 
he made an excuse in going out for to hunt wood, and while 
the sentinels were still busy in talking, he watched his chance 
and made his escape through a corn-field which was close by; 
and he says that there are about fifteen deserters from our 
army among them, mostly Irish; God help them if we should 
ever get hold of them ; he says that there are about one thou- 
sand lancers and guerillas at El Pinal Pass, waiting for the 
coming train. Considerable firing upon our picket to-night. 
Siege of Puebla City commenced from this day September 

14. 1847- 

Tuesday, September 14, 1847. — This morning there was con- 
siderable of a. fuss between Jack Wells and Peter Ahl, both 
belonging to our company, about some trifling affair, and were 
about coming to blows when Mr. Jerry Corson, our arbitrator, 
rushed in between them and stopped it, wanting to know the 
cause of the fuss ; they both stated their grievances, and he 
told them that they should be ashamed of themselves to 
quarrel about so trifling affair, that they should both go to 
their respective bunks and keep quiet. Whatever Jerry says 
is gospel, for he is our peacemaker and decides all questions 
or disputes in our company. 

About 8 o'clock, a. m., we saw the lancers manoeuvring 
about the field and drilling ; the road is full of lancers riding 
backward and forward in great bustle. 

This afternoon our spies came in and reported that the 
Mexicans would attack our quarters to-night, or in the morn- 
ing. Having heard this report so often we place little depend- 
ence m it ; yet they may make the often attempted attack, 
for they are constantly drilling and recruiting. Our commu- 
nication with the plaza and Alcalda is now entirely cut 



286 NOTES OF rHi<: MEXICAN WAR 

off. So the " diarrhcKa blues " and " hospital rani^crs " will 
ha\'c to lookout for themselves in the future. 

In the evening" Gov. Childs had two of Capt. Pedro Arria's 
spy company bucked and gagged for stealing a rifle ; they 
were both under the influence of liquor. 

To-night Lieut. -Col. Black ordered us all upon the ramparts 
to keep a sharp eye on the enemy. The Governor fearing an 
attack on our quarters, our pickets were doubled on all the 
posts. 

]\\-(iiii-sd(ij, September 15, 1847. — This morning, about two 
o'clock, we were aroused from our slumber on the ramparts, 
by a tremendous firing of musketry, volley after volley rent 
the air. We were on our feet with our guns cocked and 
primed and in good fighting order, waiting for the enemy to 
come, but they did not come. The cause of the firing was 
that several hundred lancers had charged upon our picket- 
guard, but failed to drive them from their posts. 

At daylight we saw the lancers gathering in the Tivola 
Garden, commencing to shout and fire with vigor, and they 
seemed to be full of enthusiasm and excitement. 

Lieut. Laidley, of the Ordnance Department, placed the 
howitzer in position ; after which he threw a bomb shell right 
in among them, which caused a little scatter. But they soon 
blew the trumpet to arms, and again appeared in the Tivola 
Garden, waving their swords and lances in the air, when 
suddenly, Lieut. Laidley with his howitzer company, fired two 
bombs, both exploding in their midst; then you should have 
seen the excitement, and the would-be gallant lancers vamose 
(and cut dirt and dust). But they soon again appeared at the 
op[)osite side of the Tivola Garden, blowing the charge at a 
furious rate. 

Word was now sent to h^ort Loretto to open her two twelve 
pounders on the city. The first shot struck our hospital, pur 
gunner mistook our men for Mexican greasers on the roof. 
After this blunder was found out, our men threw fire-bombs 
right into tlie main plaza, which had the effect to silence the 
Mexicans for the day. 




-; in 



288 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

To-night the whole city seems to be in an uproar ; drums 
were beaten up and down the streets, followed hy pastrge -a. 
wicked, boisterous crowd, with mucho salado (good, merry), sky 
rockets illuminated the dark skies, and it reminded me of a 
picture I had seen when a boy, of the judgment day. The 
citizens in general all seemed to be much confused. 

To-night every soldier was ordered up on the ramparts. 

Thursday, September i6, 1847. — To-day is the thirty-seventh 
anniversary of Mexican independence, and, no doubt, it will 
cause great excitement and enthusiasm among the lower class 
of people. They will mostly all get borracJio (drunk), and, 
perhaps, be foolish enough to attempt a charge on our quar- 
ters ; for bad whiskey has been the cause of doing many fool- 
ish things and killed many innocent people. 

About 10 o'clock, A. M., Gov. Childs received a letter from 
Gen. Rea, stating that this was the thirty-seventh anniversary 
of their independence, that his umbras were full and wild with 
entusiasmo and fight, and that he (Gen. Rea) has fully deter- 
mined to make an attack on our forces, and take the p-arrison 
of San Jose from us, if he had to lose five hundred men ; and, 
to save life and blood, he (Gov. Childs) had better surrender. 
To this Gov. Childs promptly replied by telling Gen. Rea to 
come on with his strong and entusiasmo forces, as he (Gov. 
Childs) had about three hundred effective men for duty, and 
about two thousand sick soldiers lying in the hospital under 
his protection ; that Gen. Rea will have to lose over five thou- 
sand men before his (Gov. Childs') men will be willing to sur- 
render up the garrison to your excellency. 

After Gen. Rea received the answer, the Mexican officers 
could plainly be heard making military, and warlike speeches, 
singing songs, passing the bottle around and drinking toasts 
until Jioon, when a large rocket went up into the air as the 
signal for the grand charge on the Yankees. It was reasona- 
bly supposed that we would have a hard and bloody battle, 
and, I assure you, we were all ready and well prepared to re- 
ceive them. We now saw them forming into line; the lancers 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 289 

seemed to be well equipped and mounted on spirited horses. 
About five hundred lancers now made a charge in full gallop 
up the street leading to our quarters {Qiiartcl San Jose), and 
when they came near enough, we opened fire, with grape and 
canister, right into their ranks, ^\'hich checked them, and they 
were obliged to retreat with great loss, the street laying full of 
dead and wounded Mexicans and horses. We let the Mexi- 
cans gather in their dead and wounded, after which they 
amused themselves by firing at our pickets — firing volley after 
volley, which became so hot that our men were obliged to fall 
back one square towards our quarters. This is what may be 
called coming to close quarters. Some of our pickets could 
not be driven away from their posts ; they were, however, to 
save their lives, compelled to stand in the doorways of houses 
near where they were stationed. This shelter saved them ; 
otherwise, every one of them would have been killed. During 
this little engagement there were many shots fired. 

In the afternoon a party of Mexicans were discovered carry- 
ing sand-bags and building a breastwork, also planting a hatcria 
(battery). Lieut.-Col. Samuel \\\ IMack was notified of it, 
when he immediately ordered the howitzers and Fort Loretto 
to open on them, and, I tell you, the way the dust flew looked 
like a whirlwind. The Mexican infantry were lying behind a 
stone wall, firing continually at our men at San Jose, but their 
bullets mostly fell short. Seeing this, we thought that it was 
no use for us to fire at them ; it would only be a waste of 
ammunition. 

The Mexicans were not leaving the stone wall, and they 
again attempted to rally their scattered forces by blowing the 
bugle charge. We now saw a large party of lancers trying to 
get in our rear. Col. Black instantly sent orders with a mes- 
senger to Fort Loretto to point out the spot where the lancers 
were. The fort then opened and fired right in among them, 
and it was astonishing to see the large force concealed there. 
The place was getting too hot for them, and, seeing that the 
Mexicans were about to change their quarters, we up and let 
19 



290 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

them have a volley of musketry. This frightened and demor- 
alized them so that they did not know which way to retreat. 
I saw several drop to rise no more, besides some so badly 
wounded that they were hardly able to crawl behind some 
ambush for safety. The Mexicans have now fully retreated 
outside of the range of our artillery and musketry, and I hope 
they will trouble us no more to-day. We could plainly hear 
Gen. Rea fromante and jurai)iento (thundering and swearing), 
no doubt on account of his defeat. Thus ends the thirty- 
seventh anniversary of the Mexican independence. 

Friday, September 17, 1847. — This morning after daylight 
we looked all around to see what had become of those gallant 
lancers who, yesterday, were so full of enthusiasm that they 
made one of the most desperate efforts to drive us out of this 
city, but were handsomely repulsed. 

At 8 o'clock this morning Gov. Childs received a letter from 
the Alcalda, stating that he has resigned his office of alcaldaship 
of the city of Puebla, and that Gen. Rea has fully taken pos- 
session of it and declared martial law in the city of Puebla. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., I was placed on picket guard at Post 
No. 9 — a very dangerous one it is ; but I shall try and take 
care of the post as well as myself. 

At noon the lancers made another rush in the plaza, and 
charged right up to our bakery, which is owned by a French- 
man, who has been baking for our detachment since we formed 
the garrison. They succeeded in capturing our bread and a 
quantity of flour. They chased the baker, who, luckily, made 
his escape over the back wall of his yard, and made his way 
up to our quarters and reported the circumstances. The firing 
has been very brisk all day, and while one of Co. A, First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, who happened to be on 
guard, was released from his post, he received a shot from 
around the corner close by. It seems they are getting bolder. 
They now have cotton and tobacco bales at the corners of the 
streets to stand behiqd and fire at us or vyhoever attempts 
to cro.ss the streets. ]L.ieut. E. C. Lewis, qf Co. G, First 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 291 

Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, has been missing for two 
days. Fears are entertained that the Mexicans have either 
killed or taken him prisoner. 

In the evening several shots were fired at me. One ball 
hit the strap attached to my canteen. Firing was heard at 
different times during the night. 

Saturday, September i8, 1847. — This morning, after I was 
released from guard, I fixed the strap of my canteen ; during 
this time, Mr. Kelley, a resident of this city, and who has a 
large factory here, informed us that the Mexicans will make 
another attempt to-day to drive us out ; so at 1 1 o'clock, 
A. M., the bells throughout the city began to ring, and a hundred 
of rockets filled the air, the trumpet sounding the charge; 
now we see them forming in the streets, marching towards our 
quarters ; one howitzer is brought down from the parapet or 
rampart, and run up the street behind our sand-bag breastworks • 
and after firing several rounds of shell and canister, the lancers 
dispersed in confusion. Fort L,oretto opened a brisk fire on 
the city, and kept at it all day without intermission. 

In the evening there was a detail of tvyo soldiers from eflch 
company to go to the Tivola Garden scouting, and my friend, 
Robert Eurick, of our company, was in that expedition, and 
they were not gone more than an hour before the Mexicans, 
several hundred in number, came up, and the lancers got so 
close to our fellows that they could easy have fired on them 
before they knew it, but laid still until the Mexicans had passed, 
and then crawled on hands and knees, and in that way made 
their escape. It was strange that the lancers did not see them. 

Sunday ^ September 19, 1847.— ^This morning all is quiet, but 
at noon a party of lancers attacked our picket guards ; but the 
cowardly dqgs stood behiqd the house corners and fired there- 
from. 

In the afternoon the guerillas charged upon our butcher and 
took him prisoner, and two hundred head of cattle ; so they 
stopped off both beef and bread ; next will be the water stopped 
off Co. p. First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, went out 



292 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

behind the Fort Loretto and succeeded in recapturing one hun- 
dred and fifty head of cattle, which caused much joy among 
our soldiers. 

In the evening the Mexicans had a great meeting in the 
Plaza, urging the citizens to rise in arms, but Fort Loretto dis- 
turbed them by throwing two bombs right in the Plaza, killing 
five and wounding a great many ; so an Englishman tells us 
to-day. Our guards killed five and took several Mexican pris- 
oners ; as usual, firing all night. 

Monday, September 20, 1847. — This morning the different 
consuls hoisted their respective colors on their dwellings to 
be protected from the firing of Fort Loretto. 

At noon about one hundred rockets rent the air, and we 
soon learned that the rejoicing was on account of Gen. Santa 
Anna, with six thousand troops, advancing towards this city, 

and would be here in a few days to drive the d Yankees 

out. So Gen. Santa Anna must have got badly whipped at his 
much boasted capital. These are the same people that cried 
out death to Gen. Santa Anna a few days ago. 

In the afternoon a lancer fired at one of our picket-guards, 
and one of our men followed him as soon as he fired, but the 
lancer jumped from his horse and ran into a house close by, 
and shut the door, but our man burst the door in and took the 
lancer, the would-be murderer. He had a brass pistol, sword 
and carbine, and on his person was found a Captain's com- 
mission, signed by Gen. Rea. He was put in the guard-house 
by order of Gov. Chi Ids. 

This evening everything is very quiet. No firing. So much 
so that it looks suspicious. 

Gov. Childs ordered two companies on the ramparts to-night, 
and to keep a sharp lookout towards the Tivola Garden, the 
])lace w here the Mexicans mostly quarter. Oh ! how I \\ould 
like it if they would make another bold attack on our quarters. 
It would do us good to have another sweep at them. 

Tuesday, September 21, 1847. — This morning an extra paper 
was published in this city by Gen. Rea, stating that he never 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 293 

intended to storm the garrison of San Jose, for his force was 
too small, and that the Yankees were too strongly fortified, 
and that he only wanted to scare us out. Good excuse for 
Gen. Rea for not driving us out of the city, because he couldn't; 
having failed in all his daring attemps to take the city from us. 
He also states that the firing from Fort Loretto, into the city 
and Tivola Garden, where he (Gen. Rea) had his main forces 
encamped, was very severe on his troops. So he thought 
best to withdraw his lorce from these hot quarters to the city, 
but there it was worse for the city, for when anything happens 
in the city away goes a shell into it, which silences them. 

In the evening news was afloat again that Gen. Santa Anna 
was encamped near this city with six or seven thousand 
soldiers and several pieces of artillery, but that they will not 
come into the city for several days ; they being much fatigued 
and in want of rest. 

Late in the evening it was reported that the Mexican officers 
held a meeting to determine on whether or not to go on to El 
Pinal Pass, and there to await for the train coming from Vera 
Cruz. What conclusion they have come to I, of course, am 
unable to say, but there is one thing sure, if they can't do any- 
thing with our small garrison here they had better not under- 
take to attack a train which is guarded with about fifteen 
hundred soldiers, and a well-mounted battery of about six 
pieces. 

Wediifsday, September 22, 1847. — This morning, a courier, 
disguised as a probre vestido, (poor clad) lepero, arrived with 
despatches from Gen. Scott who is at the city of Mexico. It 
is natural to suppose that we were all very anxious to learn 
the news, and it soon drew a large crowd at the Governor's 
headquarters. Finally Gov. Childs came out at the second 
story balcony window ; we all knew that he had good news, 
for as soon as we saw him he was winking and smiling all 
over his face, he said : " Men, do you want to hear good 
news?" Every one cried out ''yes, yes, let us have it." 
[Cheers.] It is this : " That Gen. Winfield Scott and his 



294 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

gallant little army have fought three hard battles, and the 
whole three were gallantly fought and victoriously won." 
[Loud cheering.] "And that our flag, the Stars and Stripes, 
were now floating gracefully over the halls of Montezumas." 
[Great cheering.] "Again, that Gen. Santa Anna's army is 
defeated and scattered in all directions." 

Such another cheering and shouting for joy was never seen 
or heard of before, it lasted fully ten minutes, and if Gen. 
Santa Anna's scattered forces were encamped anywhere near 
the city, they must have heard the many cheers going up. 

After the noise had subsided the Governor said that there 
is no doubt now, but that Gen. Santa Anna with his scattered 
troops, are now near this city, and no doubt making all neces- 
sary arrangements to capture Puebla City, and our little band, 
for the purpose of trying to redeem his high reputation as a 
great military general. He will make one of his utmost efforts 
to capture our forces, and then embarrass Gen. Scott at the 
capital. He warned us, one and all, that when that bold stroke 
is made, to be ready to scatter the fragments of Gen. Santa 
Anna's army to the four corners of the earth or somewhere else. 

These remarks caused another great cheering, with answer, 
" we will ! we will be ready." 

At noon, we heard a report that Gen. Rea with his lancers, 
were quartered in the Plaza de Toros, where we were quartered 
previous to the main army leaving Puebla City for the capital. 

This afternoon there was a general ringing of all the church 
bells, and firing of rockets ; the citizens looked much excited, 
which excitement continued on until a number of round shot 
and shell had found their way into the plaza from Fort Lo- 
retto. This put a stop to their nonsense, as it has done on 
several other occasions before. 

Later in the afternoon we found out the cause of all the 
rejoicing and excitement ; it was the arrival of Gen. Santa 
Anna with about eight thousand troops he had gathered after 
his defeat at the city of Mexico. His army is encamped at 
the outskirts of the city, much to the delight of Gen. Rea and 
his often defeated forces. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 295 

The people, that is, generally the worst portion, are hailing 
Gen. Santa Anna's coming with joy, and are now boasting that 
they will soon drive these infernal Yankees out of the city ; so 
I suppose work will soon commence. 

In the evening a small party of lancers made their appear- 
ence in the Tivola Garden, no doubt reconnoitering. Also a 
party of the same class of umbras appearing behind the pil- 
low, or little hill, near the Tivola Garden, brandishing their 
swords and lances with great gallantry. This reminds me 
when I went to school, of a boy making fists in his pockets 
and saying nothing. 

To prove the enemy's gallantry, a howitzer was brought into 
position, and fired a few shots among them, which soon made 
them leave the garden, not liking the "imitation" of those can- 
nons, as Gen. Rea told his officers and men in one of his 
patriotic speeches, before he made that gallant charge on our 
quarters at San Jose. 

Late this evening, Gen. Rea was seen riding up to the Tivo- 
la Garden on a beautiful white mustang, when that "imitation" 
was again opened on him, after which he left in double quick 
time. 

Thursday, September 23, 1847. — This morning it is rumored 
that Gen. Santa Anna arrived in this city without his army ; 
coming in advance with his staff and picked lancers as his 
body-guard ; his troops are encamped about ten miles out of 
the city. It is said that they are drilling and recruiting for 
the purpose of driving us Yankees out of the city of Puebla. 
They will have a happy time of it when it comes to that ; it 
will be like Gen. Rea's boasted attack, they will leave quicker 
than they came. 

At noon, through the information of a Mexican viuger 
(woman), we found out that a large quantity of Mexican 
tobacco belonging to the Mexican Government, was concealed 
in a large stone building, just one square (or block as they are 
called here) from our quarters. Gov. Childs sent for some of 
the volunteers and told them to charcfe on the buildinsf and 



296 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

capture the tobacco, which order was obeyed, and it wasn't 
long before we had about two hundred bales of tobacco up in 
front of our quarters ; after this, nearly all hands went to work 
to build a breastwork out of the bales of tobacco, across some 
of the streets leading into the square three deep. " If you 
want your tobacco you will have to fight for it." 

While the soldiers were charging on the tobacco ware- 
house, three companies of soldiers were stretched across the 
streets leading to the square, ready to fire on any force that 
might make a flank movement on our men. But no interfer- 
ence took place. Tobacco is now cheap. 

To-night a constant firing upon our picket-guard is going 
on, but am glad to say, is doing very little harm ; also a large 
meeting, composed of citizens and Mexican soldiers was held 
in the Plaza, to adopt some plan to drive these stubborn 
Yankees out of the Quartel San Jose. 

Gen. Santa Anna said, " that by uniting his force with that 
of Gen. Rea, and the assistance of the citizens, that he would 
then be able to drive the Yankees out of the city without 
much trouble." This plan was adopted with cheers and firing 
of rockets. 

To-day is the three hundred and twenty-eighth anniversary 
of Conqueror Cortez entering the ancient capital of Tlas- 
culla, it being the 23d of September, 15 19, which anniversary 
is still celebrated by the old Spaniards and mi.xed races, as a 
day of feast and jubilee, particularly in Puebla and TIasculla 
cities. 

Friday, September 24, 1847. — This morning it is rumored 
that while we were charging on the tobacco, Gen. Rea sent out 
to his camp to bring in all his forces, as the American soldiers 
were storming the city. This accounts for the large force of 
lancers we saw last evening in the Plaza. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., Gen. Rea and his staff, and accompanied 
by two hundred lancers, passed around the city to reconnoitre 
Guadaloupa Heights, but kept off a respectable distance, except 
some of the brave guerillas rode up and fired off their escopets 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 297 

and then vamoosed. They received one good volley of mus- 
ketry from our soldiers stationed there, which did no execution, 
the distance being too great. 

In the afternoon a courier came into our quarters with des- 
patches for Gov. Childs, stating that the train was at Jalapa 
City, under command of Gen. Joseph Lane, with a force of two 
thousand and five hundred men. We also received New 
Orleans papers, bearing date the 4th inst. ; friends can imagine 
the joy that we felt on hearing the news. We gave three cheers 
for it. The papers state that Gen. C. Gushing (who is he ; an- 
other paper general ?) was landing troops at Vera Cruz when 
the courier left ; also stating that Gen. Lane's force was on a 
forced march to relieve us from our perilous position. 

In the evening the firing is somewhat brisker than last 
evening, but we don't mind musket balls so long as they don't 
fire cannon balls or shells. It is again rumored that Gen. Rea 
is going to attack us to-night. They had better not, for we 
are too full of joy and ent/iusiasin, as he, Gen. Rea, calls it ; so 
they had better stay away, if they know what is good for 
themselves. 

To-night I volunteered my services to go on picket guard. 
Post No. 6, in place of the guard taken sick ; and no wonder he 
was taken sick ; it was the hottest post I have ever been on ; I 
tell you, there was some sharp shooting going on ; my bayonet 
was shot off at the top of my musket ; the musket balls flew 
like hailstones around my head and feet, not knowing what 
moment I might have to fall ; but I was determined to stand 
my ground and not yield an inch. The night was so dark that 
we could not see one another, and could only aim at the flash- 
ing of muskets. At twelve o'clock one picket was wounded ; 
the Sergeant of the guard relieved him of his post ; his post 
was next to mine (No. 5). There has been more firing to-night 
at our pickets than any night since the siege commenced ; 
they are determined to drive or kill our pickets off; can't do it. 

Saturday, September 25, 1847. — This morning, after I was 
relieved from my dangerous position, I went to the ordnance 



298 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

department and got myself a new bayonet, in the place of the 
one I had shot off last night. This is the second one I 
have had shot off. 

About lo'clock, A. M., we saw a great cloud of dust on the 
riita, a few miles from the city, and it was not long afterwards 
when it was announced that Gen. Santa Anna's army, about 
eight thousand men, were entering this city. This news in- 
dicated at once that something of an extraordinary movement 
was about to take place ; and so, of course, we were all ordered 
to be prepared for the contest. The artillery men were 
ordered to stand by their howitzer pieces with tlie slow match 
burning, ready the moment when the attack is made. 

At noon a flag of truce, accompanied by a priest and several 
Mexican officers, came riding up the street as far as our picket- 
line. Here they were stopped, and our Adjt. Welder went to 
receive them. They handed the Adjutant a letter stating that 
it was from Gen. Santa Anna to Gov. Childs. It was brought 
to Gov. Childs, and its contents were commanding Gov. Childs, 
Governor of Puebla, to surrender up all his forces now 
stationed in Puebla, and to march out with our private arms, 
such as pistols, and either to join Gen. Scott at the city of 
Mexico, or fall back to Perote Castle, and that he (Gen. Santa 
Anna) would give Gov. Childs until to-morrow morning at lO 
o'clock to make up his mind what he intended to do about it. 
And that if Gov. Childs did not submit to his fair and reason- 
able request, that he (Gen. Santa Anna) has eight thousand 
troops under his control, full of courage and enthusiasm, to 
drive us out, and that he would not be responsible for the 
damages, and the loss of American soldier's lives. This was 
a bumper. 

Gov. Childs immediately called his officers together, and 
after talking over Gen. Santa Anna's proposition, they came 
to a unanimous conclusion to reply to Gen. Santa Anna, 
stating that he (Col. Childs, of the United States Army, and 
now Governor and Commander of the city of Puebla,) has 
read his communicatioji, and that it gives him great pleasure 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 299 

to say that he (Col. Childs) could not comply with his (Gen. 
Santa Anna's) fair and reasonable request, as his men don't 
know of any such word -Si's, surrender ; therefore, you will be 
obliged to come on with your eight thousand enthusiastic 
troops, and that he would meet him with his three hundred 
half starved soldiers against his forces, and give him as warm 
a reception as he received at the capital of Mexico from Gen. 
Scott. 

When this message went to Gen. Santa Anna the streets 
were cleared of all the citizens ; and we, of course, were now 
certain of having a bloody battle with the eight thousand 
troops. 

Gov. Childs is now busy in going from one post to another, 
and from quarters to quarters, telling his little band of Gen. 
Santa Anna's demand, and his reply to Gen. Santa Anna, 
which was received with much shouting, cheering and hurrah- 
ing, and which made the hills around Puebla ccJio^ sounding 
in the ears of Gen. Santa Anna, and his army, like thunder. 
" Let them come ! Let them come !" was the general cry and 
cheers all around, that we would rather die than to give up our 
reputation, character and good name. 

Capt. Rowe, of the Ninth United States Infantry, who, by- 
the-by, was left here in the hospital when Gen. Scott's army 
marched on to the capital of Mexico, has so far recovered that 
he was ordered to make up a company of hospital Rangers, 
so called, who were able to do light duty. He succeeded in 
getting one hundred and fifty men, who, like ourselves, were 
anxious to be counted in the battle with Gen. Santa Anna ; 
also Lieut. Merrifield, of the Fifteenth United States Infantry, 
who also was left in the hospital when Gen. Scott left, mad.e 
up a detachment of rifles from the same hospital ; also Lieut. 
Morgan, of the Fourteenth United States Infantry, also left 
back, made up a detachment of marines, etc., from the hospi- 
tal. So everything is now ready to meet Gen. Santa Anna 
and his boasting legions — to give battle whenever he is ready. 

To-night every man that is able to carry a musket or a rifle 



300 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

is ordered on duty with sixty rounds of cartridges in his box. 
We, the old regulars, are all up on the ramparts, watching 
with all our eyes and listening with our ears wide open., 

12 o'clock. — No attack yet. 

Sunday, Septeuibcr 26, 1847. — This morning, long before 
daylight, we expected to be attacked by Gen, Santa Anna, but 
he did not come. 

At noon Gen. Rea issued an order for every Mexican citizen 
to move three squares from the Yankees' quarters, and any 
citizen refusing to move, or is known to sell or have any trading 
and dealing with the Americans, would be considered and 
looked upon as traitors to the Republic of Mexico ; and in 
case the American army should be defeated, they will then 
suffer the penalty of death, and their property, if they have any, 
will be coiifiscat (confiscated). 

This unexpected order caused a good deal of confusion and 
excitement among the Mexican people who live in our imme- 
diate neighborhood, and you should have seen the people 
moving. It beat all the first of Mays in the United States. 
Many of the pobre (poor) people refused to move, but preferred 
to stay under our protection and run the risk. They are mostly 
ri'j^atcros (hucksters). 

Thus the Mexicans are not satisfied with stopping off our 
beef, bread, etc., but they have the impudence to deprive us of 
our vegetables and lechc (milk). Col. Black remarked that 
this looks as if the Mexicans wanted to starve us out in place 
of driving us out. 

In the afternoon it was discovered that Gen. Santa Anna 
had the Saint Augustine Church barricaded with sand-bags and 
cotton or tobacco bales. 

Gov. Childs ordered the twelve pounder stationed in the 
front of our quarters to fire upon it. A tall sergeant of the 
regular army, named George Orwill, who trained the piece and 
made some good hits — one shot in particular which struck the 
clock and knocked it t<j pieces ; so you can see we beat their 
time. 



302 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The Mexicans now have picket guards stationed all around 
our quarters, and are stopping off our wood, coal, and all other 
necessaries to keep the stream of life up, from coming into our 
quarters. 

Firing is still brisk, and is getting brisker every hour, and a 
shower of bullets are constantly poured into our quarters from 
the street, balconies, houses, and church-tops, upon our devoted 
heads, wounding several of our men. 

To-night, we are all again on the ramparts, expecting an at- 
tack for sure; if not, we will begin to think that Gen. Santa 
Anna is as big a coward and fraud as Gen. Rea ; in fact, we are 
beginning to get tired of watching day after day and night after 
night for these cowardly Mexicans, who are constantly threat- 
ening to make an attack upon our quarters. 

To-night we can plainly hear the Mexican pickets challenge 
each other — sentinels alarida pasa (cries of pass) — until it goes 
clear around their pickets ; and this seems that the Mexicans 
are even afraid that Col. Childs, with his three hundred nearly 
worn-out Yankees, might make an attack on Gen. Santa Anna's 
eight thousand soldiers and six pieces of artillery. 

Twelve o'clock, p. m. Contrary to all our expectations, the 
Mexicans again have failed to make an attack upon us. They 
must be making desperate arrangements to make a bold and 
daring attack upon our garrison, and defeat our little band, but 
we are not asleep ; nay, we are anxiously waiting for the time 
to come, and quote the language of a poet, which says : 

" Freedom calls us — quick, be ready, 
Think of what our sires have been ; 
Onward, onward, strong and steady, 
Drive the tyrant to his den." 

Gen. Santa Anna's Demand for the Surrender of 
PuEBLA City. 

The following is (icn. Santa Anna's demand on Col. Thomas 
Childs, for the surrender of Puebla City. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 303 

Headquarters, Puebla, 

September 25, 1847. 

Having taken possession of this city, with the forces under 
my command to operate against the points occupied by you, 
and for the purpose of restoring to full liberty the citizens 
who have suffered so much from the troops of the United 
States, I deem it proper before making any movement, and for 
the sake of humanity, to intimate to your Excellency, that you 
should have leave, within a limited time, to abandon the places 
you now occupy in this city, and march out with the honors 
of war, either to join Gen. Scott, or to proceed to Perote, as 
may be most convenient for you ; but if this moderate propo- 
sition be not accepted by your Excellency, I shall, in that 
case, with the deepest feeling, proceed to act in a military man- 
ner, and assault all your positions, the consequences of which 
your troops must suffer; inasmuch as there is in the vicinity 
of your Excellency, an army of eight thousand men de- 
termined to cause the rights of this nation to be respected. 
God and Liberty. 

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, 
Gcncral-i)i-Chicf of tJic Mexican Army. 
Senor Col. Childs, 

Comniaiidcr of the United States forces in this city. 



Col. Child's Reply to Gen. Santa Anna. 

Headquarters, 
City of Puebla, Mexico, 

September 25, 1847. j 



I 



I had the honor of receiving (now 2 o'clock, p. m.,) your 
Excellency's note of this date, notifying me that you had taken 
possession of this city, for the purpose of restoring to full 
liberty the citizens who have suffered so much from the troops 
of the United States. And also offering the garrison certain 
terms in case they would, in a limited time, abandon the points 
occupied by us. 



304 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

In regard to the first point, I deem it necessary and just in 
vindication of the good name of the mihtary forces of the 
United States — which they have earned by their humanity, 
good order and discipHne which has at all times distinguished 
their conduct, and more particularly while holding military 
possession of the city of Puebla — to deny the imputation con- 
veyed in your Excellency's communication, but on the con- 
trary, would assert that the rights of persons and property 
have been most scrupulously respected and maintained to a 
degree unparalleled in warfare. And would willingly leave the 
question for the decision of the intelligent and impartial por- 
tion of the population of this city : By whom have they 
suffered most violence, from their own people or from troops 
of the army of the United States ? 

As for the other portion of your Excellency's communica- 
tion, demanding a surrender within a limited time, of the 
places held by the troops under my command, I have but this 
reply to make to your Excellency; that having been honored 
with the custody and safe keeping of these places, it is my 
desire and my duty to maintain them to the best, feeling fully 
confident in the means at my disposal to accomplish that pur- 
pose. With consideration of high respect, I have the honor 
to be your Excellency's most obedient servant. 

Thomas Childs, Colonel U. S. A. 

Civil and Military Governor. 
To his Excellency, Senor Don Lopez de Santa Anna, 

Coininandcr-in-Chicf of the Mexican Army before the city. 

Monday, September 27, 1847. — This morning at 10 o'clock I 
was put on picket-guard at Post No. 6. I noticed the people 
moving from this end of the city with all haste. 

An old Mexican man told me that Gen. Santa Anna would 
make the attack on our forces to-morrow, that he has been 
awaiting to give his dear people a chance to move all their 
things out of danger's way. Let them come, as we feel con- 
fident that the crown of victory will perch upon our banners 
when the last creat effort shall be made. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 305 

At noon the Mexicans succeeded in stopping off our water. 
I wonder what they will stop off next. One thing sure they 
cannot stop our mouths from hurrahing, which bothers them. 
Some of our officers have it that there is no train on the road 
from Vera Cruz, that the last courier from that place was a 
fraud and a cheat. 

This bad news has almost put the boys out of good-heart. 
Expecting all the time to be reliev'ed soon. Yet, at the same 
time, we are determined to fight as long as there is a mouthful 
of grub in our quarters. 

This afternoon the firing was resumed vigorously. The 
gallant lancers are riding up, and aback, and across the streets 
with great bravery, discharging their escopets as they pass. This 
they think is very brave in trying to shoot a poor, harmless 
unarmed, probably a sickly, Yankee. 

To-day is the Mexican's twenty-sixth anniversary of Gen. 
Augustine Iturbide entering the city of Mexico. It having 
taken place on September 27, 1821. And before i\\Q Junto was 
called different adherents were fighting among themselves who 
should be their president. 

The church party (as stated before) were mostly in favor of 
Augustine Iturbide, and through their influence he was made 
president, when nearly the whole country, under the influence 
of the priests, sent in its allegiance to the new government. 

Even the Creoles, the Indians, and the mixed races, had 
banded their interests, and had reached the first point in the 
problem of Mexican freedom. But the moment was pregnant 
with an intense and fresh mental activity, and another step 
must be taken perforce, arjd thjey irrjraediately divided into three 
parties. 

The republicaqs wanted a central or a federal republic. 
These opposed the military power, whom they accused of a 
desire to usurp all authority, which properly belonged to the 
whole people. 

The Ferdinand Bourbons (or Bourbonists. as they called 
themselves,) adhered to the idea of inviting Ferdinand to the 
20 



306 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

throne, and being very strongly supported by the priests were 
really the dominant party. The third party which sprang up 
was the Iturbidists, who desired to place their favorite upon 
the throne, which the plan of Iguala had reserved for 
Ferdinand de Bourbon. A larger part of the military who had 
followed Augustine Iturbide in his successes were in favor of 
the latter movements. The adherents of Iturbide did not, how- 
ever, feel themselves sufficiently strong to attempt this move- 
ment, while the priest or clergy favored the Bourbonists. 
Thus the growing interests of the different parties daily made 
a wide gap between them, and daily pointed to the necessity 
for some strong hand to turn the powerful revolutionary 
elements into a peaceful channel. In this condition of affairs 
news arrived from Spain that the Cortez had refused to ratify 
the treaty of Iguala, near Cordova, which the victor O'Donojo 
had signed with Iturbide. They thus rendered it impossible for 
any Spanish-Bourbon to ascend the throne of Mexico. 

In the uncertain position in which the Bourbonists now 
found themselves, they were unprepared to oppose the rapid 
action of the Iturbidists, who now. May i8, 1822, proclaimed 
Iturbide emperor, under the title of Augustin I, and forced 
Congress to ratify the usurpation. Immense sums were voted 
to maintain the royal dignity, a large army drained the re- 
sources of the people, and the emperor, waiving all consti- 
tution and consideration, made himself virtually Dictator of 
Mexico. The reign was, however, a very short one ; he was 
dethroned and expelled from the country for extravagance — 
luxury, carried to excess, led to the fearful moral deterioration 
and corruption — also for conspiracy. He was compelled, 
March 8, 1823, to flee to Italy. 

During Iturbide's absence, a provisional government was 
formed, and Senor Bravo was at the head of it from April i, 
1823, to August, 1823, when the people again became dissatis- 
fied and waged war against one another. The leaders had 
ordered the doors of the prison pen to be opened to the outlaws 
and criminals, under the pretence of doing tl^eir country 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 307 

services, that they may satisfy their brutal thirst for blood, 
pillage, and reign of terror, such as unhappy Mexico had 
known all too often. 

Gen. Victor assumed command of the troops ; he sought a 
Federal government ; a new constitution was made ; and in 
October, 1824, Gen. Victor was appointed President of the 
Republic of Mexico. 

During the emperor's absence in Italy, the National Congress 
passed a law, that in case the ex-emperor should ever attempt 
to land in this country (Mexico), in any capacity whatever, he 
should be arrested and declared an outlaw, and the authorities 
should punish him as such. The emperor was not aware of 
this act when he landed, which was July 14, 1824. Gen. Garza, 
then Governor of Vera Cruz, professed friendship for Iturbide, 
offering to assist him ; and by his advice he went on towards 
the capital. When near Cordova, he was arrested as a traitor, 
tried, convicted, sentence of death passed upon him, and was 
shot at a small town named Medallin, near Vera Cruz, July 19, 
1824. After his death he was taken to Vera Cruz, where a 
wild horse was hitched to his body, and dragged at a furious 
rate through some of the streets in Vera Cruz, after which he 
was buried without a coffin or a shroud. Thus the hero of 
Iguala, the liberator of Mexico, fell by the treachery of Gen. 
Santa Anna and his pretended friend, Gen. Garza, Governor of 
Vera Cruz. 

The emperor's family soon afterwards removed with the 
remains to the United States, and settled down in Philadelphia, 
where they (except the son on Gen. Santa Anna's staff) now 
reside. The remains of the ex-emperor Iturbide were taken to 
the St. John's Catholic Church, Thirteenth street below Market 
street, Philadelphia, Pa. 

Gen. Victor's new republican constitution did not prosper. 
The Catholic Church was again in its way and trouble. The 
elements of republicanism, following rapidly upon the heels 
of freedom from Spanish rule, had crept into the worn frame 
of Spanish misrule ; and the intellect of the Creoles, expanding 



308 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

with the new light of education and advancement, forced the 
Catholic clergy to direct the storm they could not breast. 

The new constitution still clung closely to that curse upon 
its body politic, which has been so fruitful in revolutionary 
throes. It provided for a coiicordot with the Holy See, which 
was to throw nearly the whole of Mexican church management 
into the hands of the Roman Pontiff. 

The clergy figured to exempt themselves entirely from any 
church if government controlled over their property and mon- 
opolies ; the old shadow of caste crept into it ; the secular and 
parochial clergy were confined to the lower offices, such as 
parish priests ; all the bishoprics, deaneries, and chapters could 
only be filled by old Spaniards. It will be remembered that 
the lower order of church offices had been the only ones during 
colonial rule to which the Creoles and mixed races were eli- 
gible. Thus, the old feeling of caste still shook its head above 
the soil of Mexico, and, united with the clergy, cursed the land 
it had already desolated and ruined. 

It is unnecessary to run through the long list of revolutions 
which have torn this country of Mexico in her struggles to free 
herself from her inherited miseries. The number of presidents 
and dictators who have followed each other in rapid succession, 
shows what a terrible struggle and fratricidal strife has been 
going on at the very door of the United States for nearly a 
half century, from the date of the revolution of Iturbide. 

Some of the presidents ruled but a short time ; among them 
was our distinguished friend, Gen. Santa Anna, who ruled for 
a few months in 1839, and Gen. Bravo (who had command of 
the castle of Chapultepec in this war), who followed him, ruling, 
in all, eight days, and so on ; in fact, the list is too numerous 
to mention ; and the changes will not cease until the United 
States spreads its wings of protection over it. 

Tuesday, September 28, i847.-^This morning some of our 
men went into the houses the Mexicans moved out of, and 
helped themselves to sorne clothing. They brought in some 
splendid silks, velvets and other valuable things. At the same 
time exposed to the firing from the enemy, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR 309 

At noon the firing commenced very briskly, and kept up all 
day. Each sentinel shooting his forty rounds. I myself, from 
the time I was put on picket-guard, until this morning, shot 
away sixty rounds, and during this I shot and wounded two 
lanbras and one priest, who were constantly annoying me, and 
you ought to have seen the old priest jump, and his long stove- 
pipe hat flying off the back of his shaved head. I must have 
hit him on the lefl leg (or he played opossum), for he imme- 
diately limped, and placed his left hand thereon. The 
Mexicans seemed to fire at me more than any other sentinel, 
and I made some very narrow hairbreadth escapes. One 
bullet cut a lock of my hair off, and grazed the skin a little ; it 
burned like fire. 

In the evening the Mexicans (cowardly dogs) attacked our 
hospital, and succeeded in setting fire to the main gate, and 
while in the act one of our riflemen, who was stationed near 
the hospital, was shot dead ; at the same time falling into the 
fire, and he burned to a crisp. The firing became so severe 
that Gov. Childs detailed a party of soldiers, commanded by 
our Adjt. Welder, to charge, and take a point near our 
hospital ; but by some misunderstanding, our men charged on 
a strong and well-constructed breastwork, which was con- 
structed across the street about two squares from our 
quarters. 

When the word " Charge" was given, we started off with a 
yell and charged on the breastworks, and captured it from the 
enemy. The Mexicans being over three hundred strong. 
They fired off the first shot, and then retreated ; while our 
men were rallying and charging on these works, our old 
friend William Eurick fell mortally wounded. He being shot 
through the heart, and while in the act of falling he threw up 
his right hand, at the same time holding his musket, and with 
his left hand on his breast, he exclaimed in a clear and loud 
voice, " Oh ! my God, I am shot !" These were the last words 
poor William Eurickj of Little York, Pa., spoke upon God's 
earth. 



310 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

They now discovered that our force was very small (only 
thirty-three in number), and charged upon us, and recaptured 
the breastworks. Our men seeing that they were overpowered 
were compelled to retreat in the midst of showers of bullets to 
save themselves, and even were obliged to let the body of 
William Eurick lay where it fell, with feet to the foe and back 
to the earth, and his smiling countenance toward the doscl 
(canopy) of heaven. 

This unfortunate affair has caused a little encouragement 
among the Mexicans, and they kept up firing very briskly, and 
double guard were placed on all the important points. 

At 12 o'clock to-night Jerry Corson, Alburtus Welsh, 
myself and others went in search of William Eurick's body. 
We went in a body until we came to a corner of a street, 
and there prepared ourselves for what might follow. His 
body laid so close to the enemy's breastworks, that to get 
possession of it, without being exposed to a galling fire from 
the enemy, was considered an entirely hopeless and danger- 
ous undertaking. 

After creeping along the wall within a few yards of where 
we supposed William Eurick had fallen, we stopped. Here 
Jerry Corson, a bosom friend of William Eurick, advised us to 
remain, and he would crawl upon his hands and knees along 
the shady side of the stone wall — it being moonlight at the 
time. After searching for the body for about ten minutes, he 
returned, stating that the Mexicans must have taken it away, 
for it was not lying where he fell. So we returned to our quar- 
ters without succeeding in getting his remains. 

I have just been informed that Charles Collinson, of our 
company, was wounded yesterday, and again to-day in the foot. 
He deserves mention and great praise for his cool and deter- 
mined courage in remaining on his post. The blood was run- 
ning into his shoes, and for three hours he refused to be re- 
lieved until his time was up. 

No attack yet ! What does all this mean ? Why is the as- 
sault on our quarters delayed so long ? The Mexicans must 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 311 

surely have force enough to make an attack on us. Probably 
they have a little compassion on us poor famished Yankees — 
wanting- us to live a few days longer. When they attack us 
they will give us no quarter or show for our lives. Come, 
Santa Anna, with your eight thousand men, for we would sooner 
fight you than any other general in your country; for when we 
lick you, we will have the name and honor of licking the great- 
est Mexican chieftain. 

Wednesday , September 2(^, i847- — This morning, a little before 
daylight, the sentinel reported that the body of William Eurick 
was still lying where he fell. At this announcement his friend 
and messmate, Jerry Corson, started off with the determination 
to either bring in the body of Bob Eurick or leave his upon 
Eurick's. He went creeping alongside of the stone wall, hur- 
ried into the middle of the street, caught hold of Eurick's legs, 
pulled him upon his back, and in this way he brought in the 
body of William Eurick. Thus for fidelity and courage Mr. 
Jerry Corson, of Co. C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, is one man out of five thousand. He accomplished this 
all in about ten minutes. Most of our men thought it could 
not be possible, but it is, fortunately, true. 

Mr. William Eurick was a man of about thirty years of age 
and over six feet in his stockings, weighed about one hundred 
and eighty pounds, and it is a marvel to know how Jerry Cor- 
son succeeded in getting him on his back so quickly and bring- 
ing him — a heavy man — without any assistance ; for Jerry 
Corson has been in delicate health for some time. 

The firing has been kept up briskly all day, and the enemy 
have succeeded in wounding several of our soldiers. 

This evening, being short of active duty men, I again vol- 
unteered my services to go on picket guard ; I was stationed 
at Post No. 9, and while on post the enemy made several daring 
attempts to charge up the street leading to our quarters, San 
Jose, but were handsomely repulsed each time by a volley of 
musketry, shells, rockets, etc., from our howitzer battery, 
stationed at the street corners and crossings, which are com- 
manded by the howitzer men. 



312 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

To-night there was some sharp shooting at one another ; 
the Mexicans seemed to have me singled out, no doubt for 
wounding one of their gods the other day. The way the bul- 
lets flew was a caution ; they flew around my head and bounc- 
ing on the pavement like so many hailstones, only a little more 
noisily ; and one bullet went through the top of my cap, cutting 
away a part of my beautiful and well-adorned top-knot hair. 
Thus, the enemy succeeded in cutting a lock and one-half of my 
top-knot off; for this compliment I am indebted to the Mexi- 
cans, as it will save me the trouble of carrying out the celebrated 
hair order of Gov. Childs ; fortunately I was not wounded. 

Thursday, September 30, 1847. — This morning, before day- 
hght, it was rumored that Gen. Santa Anna was busy in build- 
ing breastworks and planting a battery, for the purpose of 
playing on our quarters, San Jose. Sure enough, when the 
day began to break, we could plainly see the Mexicans build- 
ing a breastwork and battery near the church, right opposite 
our quarters ; their guns are bearing towards our Quartel, San 
Jose ; these guns looking us in the face caused a little excite- 
ment among our men, fearing that Gen. Santa Anna, in place 
of charging upon our quarters, has assumed the plan of Gen. 
Scott at Vera Cruz — will bombard or shell us out of Puebla. 

About 10 o'clock, A. M., the Mexicans opened with a rolling 
fire in quick succession, with great activity and bravery, throw- 
ing grape, canister, and round-shot. 

As soon as the enemy commenced firing into our quarters, 
a battery of several guns were immediately put into a position 
at the east end of Quartel, San Jose, and with the aid of a 
brass twelve-pounder, recently brought from Fort Loretto, we 
replied to their brisk firing. The big sergeant, Orwill, Corp. 
Francis Casey, and their gunners, leveled and handled their 
pieces so well that it played havoc among the gallant Mexican 
battery, making the dust and splinters fly in the air. 

The Mexicans had good gunners, for they hit our quarters 
almost every time they fired, making the boys jump about, the 
dust and fragments of the falling wall fly in every direction, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 313 

but doing little or no damage. Strange, the twelve pounder 
and howitzers stood in the open square, in front of our quarters, 
without any breastworks or anything around them to protect 
our cannoneers ; yet the Mexicans fired ten shots at our quar- 
ters, San Jose, to one at the battery in the open plaza of San 
Jose. We well remember the orders given to us by Gen. 
Robert Patterson, on the sand hills, back of Vera Cruz, when 
the balls were flying as fiercely as they are now, to lay down 
and not to expose ourselves so much. This was the same case 
here at San Jose — laid down flat on the ramparts, close to the 
battlement wall, and in this way we escaped from being shot 
down. Some of our men begin to think that it is all up with 
us ; the canisters are flying all over our quarters, and shells are 
bursting right over our heads, wounding several of our men 
dangerously ; both sides fired briskly until late in the evening, 
when the Mexican battery was silenced by our twelve pounder; 
oh, I tell you it was a pleasure — although a dangerous one — 
to see the balls from the twelve pounder hit their battery ; al- 
most every time balls struck the wall and made the dust fly in 
the air. They now have left their breastwork near the church, 
and have fallen back to the Tivola Garden ; they have suc- 
ceeded in gaining the brick-kiln ; this is surely an important 
point for the enemy, and they are making desperate efforts to 
hold the Tivola Garden. 

Myself and a party of our men were detailed to go out re- 
connoitering, and came very near being captured by the lan- 
cers, who numbered over two hundred, who were trying to cut 
off our retreat ; but a few good shots from our howitzer (which 
we had along), saved us from being cut off". We returned and 
reported to Gov. Childs. We discovered that the Mexicans 
have breastworks built across all the streets leading to our 
quarters. 

After I had something to eat, I went to a side room and 
viewed the body of William Eurick ; his faithful friend, Jerry 
Corson, was standing by his body in tears. The body was 
cleanly washed, and dressed in the same suit he fell in. While 



314 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

examining the body, I found several bullet holes in his pants, 
and one bullet hole through the sole of his boot, which must 
have been fired at him after he had fallen dead in the street. 

What good was it to fire through the body of a dead man, 
or even wounded, if found alive ? It would have been looked 
upon as murder to shoot a man after he was laying on the 
ground in agony. 

After 5 o'clock, p. m., we buried him back of our Quartel 
San Jose, among the poplar trees. We could not bury him 
any sooner as the firing from the enemy's breastworks (now 
vacant), was so great and severe, that the moment a soldier got 
outside of his quarters he was fired upon and shot down. 

His coffin, (which was made of rough boards, as no other 
could be obtained at this time), was placed on a cannon- 
carriage and hauled to his grave and he was buried with all the 
honors of war. 

He now sleeps where the soldier should sleep, on the field 
of his fame, where the poplar and the weeping willow kissing 
a passing rivulet, forms a gloomy canopy over his remains. 
Here he will rest beneath the clods of the valley, undisturbed, 
we hope, by the clamor of battles and the loud roar of the 
cannons and the rattling of musketry, until the last summons 
shall have gone forth to the nations of the earth, when the 
warrior and civilian will appear before the eternal throne. 

Corp. William Eurick, hailed from Little York, Pa., he came 
with that little band, already mentioned, where he, with the 
rest of his comrades, left that little town of his birth, with 
enthusiasm and patriotic feeling. 

As already stated, he met his fate while gallantly and bravely 
rushing at the Mexican breatworks, which, before, his death, 
was constantly annoying us ; in doing which, he received his 
mortal wound through the heart, which almost caused instant 
death. 

He was a genial, a brave soldier, and a beloved com- 
panion. Thus another flower is stricken down from our little 
band. Another one has left our company's ranks, and a hero, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 315 

a jewel, stolen from some treasure of love at home, for the 
dark and silent tomb. 

Thus our soldiers are daily passing away, and almost hourly 
in some grave-yard the soil of a foreign land is flung upon our 
gallant soldiers, who have either died from the bloody hands 
of the enemy, or have fell victims to that dreadful disease 
diarrhoea. 

To-night, I learn that my friend, John B. Herron, of our 
Co. C, was severely wounded, while on picket-guard. Post 9 
and 10; also, two of Co. A's and two of Co. D's, and one 
of Co. I's, all belonging to the First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers. A marine was wounded while standing guard at 
the hospital ; and one rifleman was killed while on picket- 
guard at Post 7. 

There has been more firing to-day and to-night than at any 
time since the siege commenced. 

Friday^ October i, 1847. — This morning there was little firing, 
and we noticed that the Mexicans had removed their battery 
from the position of yesterday. I guess Sergt. Orwill and 
Corp. Casey, with their twelve-pounders, were too much for 
Gen. Santa Anna's artillerymen. 

About 8 o'clock, a. m., the Mexican army, numbering about 
five thousand men, were seen coming towards this city. They 
moved out on the National Riita leading to Amozoquco, and, 
when opposite to Gaudaloupa Heights, the artillery stopped 
and turned their pieces towards Gaudaloupa and fired several 
round shot at our men, who were stationed there as a garrison, 
but doing no damage. They then fell into line and left for El 
Pinal Pass, there to await the coming train and try to plunder 
it of its contents — that is, if they will be successful. Thus, 
Gen. Santa Anna, after several most desperate efforts to capture 
this city, has failed, and is compelled to leave without carrying 
out his xn\x(A\faiifa)'ro)i proclamation to his people in regard to 
capturing this city and driving us out and showing us no 
quarter. 



316 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Oh, Santa Anna, we have heard your fa/ifarrojtado before 
and it was the general opinion among the soldiers that you 
would be sadly disappointed in your object, and that you would 
leave this city more quickly than you came, with stinging fleas 
in your ears, which, from the present retreat of your army, is 
true ! 

The train which Gen. Santa Anna is going to meet is under 
the command of Gen. Joseph Lane, and is about fifteen hun- 
dred strong. It is composed of infantry, cavalry and several 
pieces of artillery, also Captain Walker's Texas Rangers are 
with it. These officers would sooner fight than eat, and they 
will give Gens. Santa Anna and Torrejon battle in the El Pinal 
Pass, which is a strong position for defence. I have been there 
and know all about it. We have worked our way through, 
and so will Gen. Lane. 

Gen. Rea, with about a thousand men, is to remain here. 
His force is mostly mounted lancers. They are to harass and 
annoy us and shoot down a poor soldier whenever an oppor- 
tunity offers. 

In the evening I noticed that the Mexicans had still their 
picket-guard stationed around the city, and, of course, firing 
at every picket or other soldier who might happen to be out- 
side his quarters. 

To-day one of Co. A, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers was badly wounded. He was shot from the house-top, 
behind the battlement wall. By-the-by, most every house in 
the towns or cities has strong battlement walls from two to 
four feet high from the roof, through which they have port- 
holes, mostly for musketry, from which they fire, and all our 
men who may venture outside their quarters are shot down. 

To-day nearly all those men who were not on guard were 
detailed to put up additional breastworks around our quarters, 
also large ladders were made and placed around the parapet, 
so that in case of an unexpected attack we could ascend at a 
moment's notice. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 317 

I have just been informed that a courier has arrived with 
despatches from Gen. Lane, stating that the train left Perote 
Castle yesterday morning on its way hither, and would push 
through as fast as possible. 

This news was enthusiastically received ; and on the receipt 
of it, Gov. Childs instantly despatched a courier back to tell 
Gen. Lane to be prepared, as Gen. Santa Anna with about five 
thousand troops, will make a stand at El Pinol Pass, and to 
strongly oppose him at that place. The courier told Gov. 
Childs, that he saw the Mexican army on the other side of the 
Amozoquco, on their way to El Pinol ; when he first saw 
them, he thought they were our men, but when he saw his 
mistake, he turned about-face and started across the plains 
limping" with a stick, letting on that he was an old crippled 
Mexican. Thus no notice was taken of him, and passing to 
their rear he again reached the National road. 

Later in the evening it was discovered that the Mexicans 
were leaving the Tivola Garden, hauling away all their cotton 
bales out on the National riita, there, no doubt, to build a 
breastwork across the road, to fire upon Gen. Lane's train 
when they should enter the city ; that is, if our men are suc- 
cessful at the El Pinol Pass. But we have no fear but that 
Gen. Lane and Sam Walker will knock helter skelter out of 
Gens. Santa Anna and Terrejon, at El Pinol Pass. 

To-day one of the diarrhoea blues wanted to run across the 
street, and was instantly and dangerously shot in the side, he 
was shot from the same port-hole where one of Co. A's men 
was shot. When Gov. Childs heard of it he remarked, that 
that house has got to be destroyed in some way or other. 

To-night the firing is going on quite briskly, and we can 
plainly luar the sentinels answer each other's questions about 
old Santa, and what they intend to do. 

Saturday, October 2, 1847. — This morning I was again de- 
tailed to go on picket-guard, it seems that my turn comes 
pretty often. 



318 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

About 8 o'clock, a. m., our Quartel San Jose commenced 
to shake. The things that were hanging on the walls were 
set swinging to and fro, and we all looked at one another with 
astonishment and much horrified, not knowing what it meant. 
But we were soon informed that it was a slight shock of an 
earthquake among the volcanic mountains. 

At lo o'clock, I was put on guard, and while going to my 
post, I noticed a dragoon who was watering his horse, was 
shot in his right thigh, fracturing it so badly that it soon after- 
wards had to be amputated ; it is feared that he will die. 

At noon two of Co. A's and one of Co. I's, all of the First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, were wounded while 
going to their respective posts. Co. A has but eighteen men 
now fit for duty, the rest being either dead or wounded. 

About 2 o'clock, p. M., Gov. Childs issued orders to the men 
to get themselves ready with sixty rounds of cartridges, as he 
was going to charge on and destroy some of these port-hole 
houses and all other barricaded buildings, from which the 
firing has been so severe on our men for the last few weeks. 
In fact, the bullets fly right into our fire-place, and men have 
been wounded while cooking; and I have known on several oc- 
casions, bullets to go through our coffee pots, and we have lost 
all our coffee. 

The different detachments formed some time ago, were again 
ordered to form into their respective companies. 

The first detachment, which is composed mostly of riflemen 
and Voltiguers, under command of Lieut. Morgan, is to charge 
on the barricade near the picket-post. No. 7 and 8. The second 
detachment, marines, under command of Lieut. Merrifield, is 
to charge on and take possession of a certain building from 
which we have been recently annoyed by receiving a rattling 
fire most every hour. The third detachment is composed of 
ten picked men from each company, (that is, from the six 
companies of Pennsylvania Volunteers), First Sergt. Edwin R. 
Riles, of Co. A, Fourth United States Artillery, volunteered 
his services, he was appointed Sergeant over the company, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 319 

they were under the command of Capt. Wilh'am F. Small, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Capt. Small was ordered to cut his way through the walls of 
a whole row or square of stone houses, so as to get in the 
rear of the Mexican battery that was erected across the street, 
one square from San Jose Quartel. 

This expedition I missed, on account of being on picket- 
guard. I tried to be relieved to go with the expedition, but 
the officer of the day would not let me off, saying that picket- 
duty v/as one of the most important stations in the depart- 
ment. I even went to Capt. Small to see whether he couldn't 
get me off to go with him, but no go ; but I assure you friends 
Jake was not idle, as I was constantly firing at the enemy, and 
the enemy at me. And I can positively say that I have laid 
out several that will fire at me no more ; in fact I am surprised 
myself that I haven't been killed or wounded. The picket- 
posts Nos. 5 and 6, and the post that I am stationed on, are 
doubled, and are ordered to keep up a constant firing on the 
enemy, so as to draw the Mexicans on our way. When 
everything was ready to start, a fire from the twelve 
pounder was to be the signal for all the parties to charge. 
Boom ! went off the twelve pounder. Lieut. Merrifield 
charged on the building designated for him with linzza ! 
huzza ! and took it in a gallant manner, without the loss of a 
single man, either killed or wounded. He drove the enemy 
from the building, and is now in full possession of it, and we are 
rejoicing over the result. 

Lieut. Morgan made his charge on a well-barricaded house, 
but he was not so fortunate. He was was repulsed by an un- 
expected large force of the enemy, and was compelled to 
fall back one square. After Gov. Childs heard of his 
(Morgan's) repulse, he ordered them to fall back to their 
quarters, which was done in good order. In their charge they 
lost one man, named John H. Burgess, a Voltiguer, who was 
killed out-right, and four or five wounded. Lieut. Morgan 
seemed to be much mortified on account of his defeat, and 



320 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

said the reason of their repulse was in not having ladders to 
climb up, and get into the windows of the barricaded house ; 
and seeing that there was no earthly hope of taking this 
barricaded house, fell back in good order one square for pro- 
tection, and to save themselves from being shot down like dogs. 
He spoke highly of his detachment. 

Word now comes from Capt. Small's party of fifty picked 
men, saying that they are at work piercing their way through 
the deserted stone houses, so as to get in the rear of the 
enemy's battery, and then charge upon the enemy by surprise ; 
that is, provided the enemy don't stop them before they get 
through, but there is no fear on our side of the house, for the 
Captain is a fighting man, and all his men are fighting soldiers, 
and have expressed a determination to capture the breastworks, 
if possible. 

At 6 o'clock, p. M., Col. Black went to the headquarters and 
told the balance of the soldiers off duty, that he wanted them 
all to build a breastwork across some street. After a little 
murmuring, they went to work. During all this time the 
enemy opened a fearful fire on those working on the breast- 
work ; but, as far as I hear, they have done very little damage, 
except wounding one man. 

We now see a large body of lancers near our picket posts, 
forming, and moving some of their bales of cotton, so as to 
give them a chance to fire upon our men without injuring 
themselves ; but we on the picket guard opened a volley of 
musketry, and also the twelve pounder gave them a few solid 
pills, which had the effect of soon scattering them in all con- 
fusion, and fell back out of the reach of our artillery. 

Up to this time there is no later news from Capt. Small and 
his party, but Gov. Childs thinks he is all right. 

Fort Loretto and some of our howitzers are keeping up a 
constant firing on the doomed city, so that the enemy cannot 
hear our men digging through the walls. The rockets swept 
through the street, leaving it in one mass of fire. The firing 
of musketry and cannons, intermingled with the terrific peals 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 321 

of thunder and lightning, made it an awful night. Firing was 
kept up until it Ihiria (rained), which silenced the firing on 
both sides, and we were not sorry for it, for we have been kept 
steady at it all day. 

Twelve o'clock, p. m. Capt. Small sent in word to Gov. 
Childs, stating that all is working right with him, and that he 
expects to be at his journey's end about morning if nothing 
happens him. 

At this time a cowardly Mexican ^/-r(2j'r/- came up the street 
and fired his escopet at me, the ball fortunately passing through 
my canteen. It seems these greasers are still after me, trying 
all plans to get me out of the way, and I again made a very 
narrow escape. 

Sunday, October 3, 1847. — This morning, before daylight, 
our men were again all called under arms, on account of nearly 
all the bells in the city ringing, and other excitement. The air 
was again filled with rockets, etc. I was informed by a friendly 
Mexican that all their excitement was to excite the people and 
arouse them to arms to protect their homes, firesides, and their 
country; but, like all bombastic appeals, it proved a failure. 

About 8 o'clock, a. m., word came from Capt, Small to Gov. 
Childs, stating that they have succeeded in reaching the large 
red house, and that they vyere now cutting their way through 
the last wall, and had so far met little opposition from the 
enemy. About an hour afterwards another messenger came, 
stating that he had gained a position opposite the barricade by 
driving the enemy away with a loss of fifteen killed and 
wounded. The enemy let their dead lie ; and all the wounded, 
except tvyo, w|io were too badly wounded, escaped. The 
enemy had taken our men for their friends, and knew no better 
uiitil our men fired a volley into them ; when they saw their 
error they ran in all confusion. This news pleased Gov. Childs 
so much that he threw up his cap and hallooed out at the top 
of his voice, and with a wave of his right hand, " good for Capt. 
Small and his little band." There was, on the strength of this 
news, mucl] rejoicing and a general shaking of hands. 
■ 21 



322 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

It seems that some of the Mexicans, who were in another 
building or room, when they saw that they were our men, put 
their muskets through the port-holes of the wall, and then fired 
upon our men, shooting two fingers off of one of Co. I's men, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. This was about all 
the damage the Mexicans have done to Capt. Small's party. 

The barricade, just captured by Capt. Small, consists of one 
hundred and fifty bales of cotton ; all stolen from the 
manufacturers in and around this city ; which, on the enemy's 
retreat, was set on fire by the enemy, and nearly all consumed. 
.These cotton bales formed their breastworks, and from these 
works the firing was very annoying to our men. These 
breastworks were well built and planned, they were formed 
two and three bales deep, so that our twelve pounders could 
not have much effect upon it. 

Thus friends you will see that the Mexicans have also 
adopted Gen. Andrew Jackson's plan for building breastworks 
of cotton bales ; and, no doubt, telling the owners if you want 
to save your cotton you will have to fight for it. 

After the red house (so called on account of it being red) 
was captured, our soldiers instantly made port-holes through 
the walls, and occupied it as well as the corner building. 
During their firing and repairing, a young and gentle-looking 
Mexican came up the street (not knowing that Capt. Small 
had taken possession of the barricade). He loaded his 
escopet, and then putting his head into the window, and was 
about to fire off his gun, when, at that instant, one of Co. K 
(John H. Herron, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers,) 
up with his gun and shot the Mexican. He falling out of the 
.window on the stone pavement, and suffered in great agony. 
When Capt. Small heard of it he denounced the shooting as a 
most brutal and cowardly act. The Captain picked him up 
and brought him into Gov. Child's headquarters, where 
medical aid was brought in. The poor fellow prayed and 
cried like a child, saying that he wished to see his father, 
mother, sister and the priest, as he was sprely going to die. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 323 

He was was not a regular soldier, he merely volunteered 
durincr the sie^re of Puebla. He was well-dressed, and had a 
brand-new escopet, no doubt fitted out by his parents and 
friends. He is very intelligent, and says that there has been a 
great many killed and wounded since the siege commenced. 
The poor fellow censured our soldier for shooting him in 
cold blood. He not knowing that our men had captured the 
building. He only lived three hours, when he died. He was 
soon buried, near where he fell, without seeing his parents or 
priest, as there being no way to send for his parents or priest, 
on account of them living outside of our picket-line. 

This evening Col. Childs sent Lieut. Laidly, of the United 
States Ordnance Corps, to blow up the building, as he could 
not spare the men to guard it. 

So at 6 o'clock, p. m., Lieut. Laidly blew it up, by placing a 
keg of powder under each corner of the building, and in a short 
time the whole building was in ruins. The shock and 
thundering reached the plaza, which caused considerable ex- 
citement among the citizens, they not knowing what to make 
of it. The bells of nearly all the churches rang. They 

expecting the d ^ Yankees were going to blow up the 

whole city of Puebla, as the explosion made a most fearful 
noise. 

After the explosion and the destruction of the building, 
Capt. Small and his party were withdrawn and returned to 
their quarters much exhausted and fatigued. They were 
received with applause and congratulation among their fellow- 
soldiers. They were declared off duty for the night, and, of 
course, they all went to bed and had a sleep. They all spoke 
highly of Capt. Small as a bold and fearless leader who worked 
as hard to get througji the walls as any of the men, and re- 
marked, that if they succeeded in accomplishing their work in 
breaking through the vyhole row of houses, it would be re- 
corded as one of the most daring deeds of the whole war. 

They all say that the breaking through all these houses was 
no easy jqb, not knq\ying, when they got through one house, 



324 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

whether the other might not be full of Mexicans, and the mo- 
ment our men got through the wall they might have been shot 
down before they knew where they were. It rained hard all 
night, which made the operation still more disagreeable and 
dangerous, for the fall of rain was so heavy that they couldn't 
hear whether there was anything in the next house or not. 

During to-day's firing two of Co. D and one of our company 
(C) were wounded, and one riflemen, named Smith, was killed 
at Post 7. When his death was announced in our quarters, he 
was brought in and buried with honors. 

Monday, October 4, 1847. — This morning there was another 
ringing of bells and firing of rockets — blowing the charge 
around all the Mexican quarters. This alarming and confusing 
of the citizens is another appeal from Gen. Rea to the people 
to arouse and take up arms and defend their firesides ; but, like 
all the rest of appeals, was in vain, and the citizens would not 
rally around his guerilla flag. So the firing was not so brisk 
as it had been before, except the blanket agrazicnts, who are 
constantly firing at our pickets from behind the house cor- 
ners, etc. 

About 9 o'clock, A. M., I called on several of Capt. Small's 
party — so called, and talked about picking their way through 
a whole row of stone houses. They all praised Capt. Small 
and Sergt. E. R. Biles as brave and heroic officers. Even Mr. 
John H. Herron, who shot the Mexican boy or young man at 
the window, says that Capt. Small is one of the most daring 
officers he ever heard or read off, but he thinks that the Cap- 
tain was a little too hasty in expressing his feelings and sympa- 
thy for the Mexican boy or young man. He says that he saw 
the Mexican come up the street with his escopet in his hand, 
and going into the building the back way, and soon afterwards 
again saw him going to a window, and it looked to him (Her- 
ron) as if the Mexican was getting ready to fire. When he 
saw this, he up with his mtjsket and fired first, and brought 
him (the young Mexican) to the pavement. He also says, 
that he is fully conyinced that the IVfexicans knevy that ouf 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 325 

force was in one end of the building, and that this poor inno- 
cent young Mexican had fully made up his mind to shoot the 
Yankee, but the Yankee was too quick for him. 

At noon I volunteered to go on picket guard for two hours, 
at Post 7 ; it seems the sentinel that was to go on this post was 
shot and dangerously wounded at his mess fire-place, just before 
going on guard, and there being no one just at hand, I went on 
duty, and never did I see sharper shooting ; it seems that I was 
a perfect target for the Mexicans; and judging from the balls 
fired and bouncing around the street and pavement, they must 
have been from some of our own rifles. 

About 2 o'clock, p. M., an express came from Gen. Scott at 
city of Mexico, saying that everything is quiet at the city of 
Mexico, and was anxious to know how the garrison is getting 
along, whether Gen. Santa Anna has taken any position of note 
from us, and also was very anxious to know whether Gen. 
Santa Anna had succeeded in raising the citizens of Puebla to 
arms, to drive the American forces out of Puebla. 

Gen. Santa Anna, before he left the city of Mexico, boasted 
that he would march with the balance of his army to Puebla, 
storm and take possession of the said city, and drive the 
Yankees out and into the Gulf of Mexico, or die in the attempt. 

It is true. Gen. Santa Anna has made several desperate at- 
tempts to capture this city from our little garrison, but has been 
defeated each time, not even capturing a single soldier. Gen. 
Santa Anna himself is now en route for that direction, and I 
think, the way things look, Gen. Santa Anna will himself be 
driven into the Gulf of Mexico. 

The report also states that Gen. Scott hung forty deserters — 
soldiers that deserted from our army during the war with 
Mexico ; they were called the St. Patrick Guards, a very ap- 
propriate name ; they were nearly all captured at the bloody 
battle of Churubusco, and among those captured was the notori- 
ous Col. Riley, who was a lieutenant in the Third United 
States Infantry, and deserted at Fort Brown, Texas, in May, 
18464 He was one of our bitterest enemies in all Mexico, and 



826 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

the only thing that saved his neck was that he had deserted 
just before the time our government declared war against the 
republic of Mexico. Capt., or Col. Riley, as he is called, re- 
ceived sixty lashes on his bare back, and branded his cheek 
with the letter D (deserter), and is now in irons in the ca.stle of 
Chapultepec, there to remain until the termination of this war 
now raging in Mexico. 

In the evening Gov. Childs went to Fort Loretto to see how 
things looked there. After he was satisfied that everything 
was right, he left for Guadaloupa Heights. While on his way 
up, a party of lancers came out of a corn-field close by, and 
drove him back to Fort Loretto. A Mexican officer on a 
splendid white horse, rode up and fired his pistol oft' at the 
Colonel, when instantly, a shot from Fort Loretto, (a twelve 
pounder), struck the gallant officer, which completely cut him 
in two ; the rest left in double-quick time leaving him lay, no 
doubt they will remove his body to-night. 

Late this evening, a Mexican greaser missed the boundary 
line, and got one square too far up towards our quarters, and 
on turning around the corner, he saw his dangerous position and 
gave himself up to our picket-guard as a prisoner of war. He 
had a musket at the time, loaded and cocked ready for use, it 
was one of the old Florida muskets belonging to the United 
States. 

To-day five of the picket-guards were wounded, and it is 
reported that another rifleman was shot dead at his post. The 
riflemen seem to be very unfortunate as they mostly all are 
killed outright. 

To-night the firing is very lively and continues on. Until 
we will be relieved by re-enforcements, then, and not until 
then, will we be able to drive these infernal highway robbers 
and cut-throats out of the city. 

This continual killing and wounding of our men is fast 
decreasing our garrison, in fact, scarcely can we raise two 
hundred and fifty men that are able and fit for duty. Some 
are dying in the hospital, while those on duty are either killed 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 327 

or wounded. But we are determined, (what is left of us), to 
hold out to the last man, rather than to yield up to the 
enemy. 

. I learned to-night, that the messenger who came from the 
city of Mexico, was the third one that has been sent from that 
place to Col. Childs, the rest having either been captured or 
killed by the guerillas, so you see that to be a messenger in 
this countiy is a dangerous position. 

Tuesday, October 5, 1847. — This morning, as usual, firing 
from street corners and house-tops, until about 8 o'clock, 
A. M., when a company of lancers, accompanied with some 
infantry make their appearance on the Amozoquco Road 
making a big dust. 

I assure you there was some anxiety to know the cause of 
their coming in from that direction. 

It is now supposed by our men, that Gen. Santa Anna must 
have encountered Gen. Lanes' forces, and after getting whipped, 
were now on their retreat to this city to assist Gen. Rea to try 
to drive us out again. 

At noon we discovered the enemy carting sand-bags and 
fortifying Saint Augustine Church, also building a small breast- 
work in the Tivola Garden. Gov. Childs ordered his favorite, 
the twelve-pounder, to be brought into the square in front of 
our quarters, and placed in a position to play upon the church 
if they attempt to fire upon our train when it enters the city, 
for it must come in on the Amozoquco Road. Sergts. Orwill 
and Biles and Corp. Casey were again ordered to take 
charge of the twelve-pounder. 

In the afternoon Capt. Herron, of Co. K, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, was ordered with his company to 
take possession of a brick buildings — in fact, it is more of a 
brickyard — enfilading the plaza. Around this brickyard was 
also a stone wall, from behind which the enemy annoyed us 
very much. Capt. Herron's orders were, that after he had 
captured the brickyard and building, to tear or blow it down 
and hold possession of the ground. 



328 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The Captain started, and when near the stonewall, he charged 
with a yell, and took the brick house and yard in a gallant 
manner, with only a few slightly wounded. For this brilliant 
achievement the Captain and his company were highly con- 
gratulated by Gov. Childs. The enemy that guarded the brick 
house retreated to the Saint Augustine Church, and instantly 
opened a heavy fire on Capt. Herron's company. Gov. Childs, 
seeing the dangerous position of Capt. Herron, ordered Sergt. 
Orwill to fire the twelve-pounder on the Saint Augustine 
Church, and, I tell you, the way the big Sergeant and his little 
crew handled and aimed their cannon was a caution. He put 
eight or ten balls right into the arches or belfry of the steeple 
— doing considerable damage — yet at the same time the Mexi- 
cans would not cease firing until a bombshell from Fort Loretto 
fell right into the churchyard, which made them scatter and 
the dust fly. 

After this the enemy left the church and made several at- 
tempts to rally their forces, and charged upon some of our 
weak points, but were repulsed with great loss. 

In the evening a small party of our men left Gaudaloupa 
•Heights to reconnoitre, and when they got down near the 
Tivola Garden, a body of about two hundred lancers were try- 
ing to cut our men off, and were very near accomplishing their 
aim in capturing our men, but, fortunately, a bomb from Fort 
Loretto exploded near them. They then saw their danger, 
and prepared for what might come. Our men brought with 
them several wagonloads of apples and a large quantity of 
turkeys, chickens and pucrco (hogs), which, I assure you, came 
in very good. 

Late this evening Lieut. Montgomery P. Young, of Co. G, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, aged thirty-two, 
died after a very short illness, Lieut. Young is from Phila- 
delphia, Pa., and was by profession a lawyer. He was a 
talented, brave and good officer, very kind and good to his 
men. Rumors have it, that a few days ago Lieut. Young, 
with a small party of soldiers, went out foraging after beef or 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 329 

anything they could get hold of. They did not go far, before 
they came to a flock of sheep ; which, hke all flocks of sheep 
in this country, were guarded and protected by a shepherd 
and his faithful dogs. Lieut. Young gave orders to capture 
the sheep. The shepherd and his dogs resisted from falling 
into the hands of their capturers. At this instant Lieut. 
Young pulled out his pistol and shot the poor shepherd (not 
intentionally) dead, and brought in the sheep to be slaughtered 
for our garrison. It is said that when the shepherd fell dead 
his dogs straddled over his dead body and moaned and licked 
his face. They say it was a sad scene. A sudden change 
came over Lieut. Young, and it is naturally presumed that 
this unfortunate and sad act troubled and worried Lieut, 
Young to death. 

Lieut. Young was buried to-night back of our quarters 
(San Jose) under several large poplar trees. 

The firing to-day and to-night is not so brisk as it has been 
for several days back. 

Wcd)iesday, October 6, 1847. — This morning, as usual, firing 
from all corners and house-tops. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M.,a lancer was taken prisoner from behind 
Fort Loretto. He says that Gen. Lane and his train is just 
beyond the El Pinal Pass. The prisoner was dressed as a 
ranchero in disfras, for the purpose of bringing in the news 
to Gov. Childs. He also says that the lancers ran him so 
hard that he was obliged to dismount and take to the corn- 
fields to save his life, and this is the reason he came in the 
back way, so as to avoid the lancers from seeing him. But 
his tale is not believed by our officers ; and, therefore, he was 
put in the guard-house for the present time. In fact our men 
looked upon him as a spy, trying to find out our forces and 
different positions, and strength, for the Mexicans can't believe 
that our forces are so small, for the enemy says that when we 
yell or cheer it sounds as if we were about five thousand 
strong. 



330 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

At noon, owing to Capt. Herron's party making a raise of 
apples yesterday, most every mess in our quarters (San Jose) 
had apple dumplings for dinner, but the infernal greasers 
stopped our leclu\ so were obliged to eat them without Icchc, 
but we had plenty of sugar, and I can assure you we didn't 
growl much about the leche. 

About 2 o'clock, p. M., a Mexican came around the corner 
with a white flag, and a letter in his hand addressed to Gov. 
Childs. The Sergeant of the guard took him in charge, and 
handed him over t,o the Governor ; and in about a half an 
hour he returned, and the Sergeant escorted the Mexican out- 
side of our picket-line. 

The result and contents of the letter I did not learn, but I 
suppose it was like all the rest, to exchange prisoners in 
disguise, so as to catch us Yankees in a trap. 

We still hold possession of the Tivola Garden, but exposed 
to a heavy fire from the enemy's breastworks, near the Saint 
Augustine Church, and from other vicinities, which is an- 
noying our men very much. 

In the afternoon some of our pickets discovered a fire in a 
building close to our quarters ; several of our men went to 
the burning building, and to their astonishment they found 
several drunken teamsters lying on the floor asleep ; our men 
soon extinguished the fire, and they say that had it not been 
for our picket-guard, they would have been burned up like a 
terebintia barrilcte (turpentine barrel), for they were really 
travelling distilleries when they got up and left. 

During the day, three of our pickets were wounded while 
on duty at their posts ; also one of our teamsters while cross- 
ing the street, was shot through the foot, fracturing it to such 
an extent, that it is feared that it will have to be amputated; 
also one of Co. A, Fourth United States Artillery, wounded 
through the left knee. 

It has rained all the afternoon, which has the effect of slack- 
ing the firing considerably, with no regret on our side. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 331 

In the evening one of the dragoons (a young man too) 
died. Previous to his death he looked as pure as an orange- 
flower that clasped his forehead. He was stricken down as he 
stood at his post, and from the din and rattling of musketry and 
rounds of artillery, he was borne to the grave, the garden of 
the slumherers, never to rise more. 

Thursday, October 7, 1847. — This morning while my friend 
Alburtus Welsh was on picket-guard, he heard several shots 
which sounded about two squares from our quarters, up the 
street, he watched for he was anxious to know the cause, or 
to find out who was firing from that section of the city, before 
he gave the alarm, when to his surprise, he saw five or six of 
the hospital rangers sitting in the street, shooting at some tame 
pigeons on the house-tops, as unconcerned as if there weren't 
any enemy about. Comrade Welsh called to them several 
times, and told them not to fire as they might draw the fire of the 
enemy that way, but like all the diarrhoea rangers, would pay 
no attention to what he said. So the sentinel was compelled 
to call the Sergeant of the guard, and the Sergeant the Officer 
of the Day ; who sent word to the sentinel, to shoot the first 
soldier who disobeyed his orders, but by this time the 
diarrhoea blues had left the street for their hospital, thus 
sparing Mr. Welsh, the unpleasantness of shooting at one of 
his own comrades. 

At noon one of our riflemen, who has been sick and in the 
hospital, slipped the hospital guard and went too far down the 
street. A party of Mexicans, who happened to be concealed 
in a house close by, fired a volley of musketry through the 
unfortunate victim's body, mangling him in the most horrid 
manner. This poor soldier had to lie where he fell in the 
street, for none of our men dared to go down to get possession 
of his body ; same to the Mexicans, for death would be certain 
to any one who would attempt to cross on either side. 

The firing to-day has been very severe, especially from those 
who are on large buildings, behind the brick or lattice works. 
Below Post No. 6 the Mexicans have the range of the steeple 



332 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

guarded, and whenever any one of our men shows himself he is 
instantly fired upon by half a dozen sharp-shooters, from our 
American deserters, with our own United States rifles ; but 
bless them if we ever should be so fortunate as to catch them ; 
there wouldn't be much controversy held over them. 

In the evening our wood has run out, and as the Mexicans 
have forbidden all fuel, produce, etc., from coming into our 
quarters, we were of course obliged to go to work and pull 
down gates, doors, windows, door-sills, etc. ; in fact, everything 
in the shape of wood and rubbish was gathered in a few hours, 
and it wasn't long before we had several cords of wood piled 
up in the yard ; so the enemy didn't make much by that 
operation. 

Friday, October 8, 1 847. — This morning, and in fact since 12 
o'clock last night, everything in and around the city is very 
quiet, so much so that our men begin to think that it looks 
very suspicious, not one shot being fired all morning. Gov. 
Childs remarked that he don't like this sudden ceasing of firing 
and quietness ; he thinks that the Mexicans are doing this to 
make us believe that they have left the city, and therefore throw 
us off our guard, and try to surprise us. 

So on the strength of this quietness. Gov. Childs came to our 
quarters and ordered the reveille to be beaten one hour and a 
half before daylight ; so in case the Mexicans did intend to 
surprise us, they would be disappointed, and us Yankees wide 
awake to receive them. 

About 1 1 o'clock, A. M., news came from Guadaloupa Heights, 
stating that the enemy were moving towards this city from the 
Amozuquco Road, and another division on the so-called Ora- 
zaba Road ; the latter with about three or four thousand lancers 
and infantry. This report must surely be a mistake in regard 
to numbers, for there cannot be more than two thousand lancers 
outside of the city, unless Gen. Santa Anna is coming back. 
The approaching of the lancers towards this city means some 
mischief, and as a matter of course we were immediately put 
under arms to meet the cricscs. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 333 

About noon the whole Mexican force came marching, with 
their banners flying, their band playing the national airs of the 
land of the Montezaimas, into the city of Puebla. Then you 
should have heard the ringing of bells, shooting of sky-rockets 
and shouting. It was enough noise to make the Mexicans all 
go crazy. 

About 3 o'clock, p. m., the enemy made several desperate 
attempts to drive our men out of Tivola Garden, but we kept 
firing volley after volley in among them, which kept them at 
bay. They can now be seen gathering in full force near Tivola 
Garden, sounding the charge and their bands playing patriotic 
pieces. Everything looks much confused and excited among 
the enemy. The housetops, balconies and windows were all 
filled with anxious spectators to witness these brave and gal- 
lant lancers make a charge on the Yankees and drive them 
out of the city of Puebla. 

While the enemy were manoeuvring and getting into posi- 
tion to charge. Fort Loretto and Gaudaloupa Heights opened 
fire upon the gallant lancers. The bombs took the enemy by 
surprise. I say again, that the shells, bombs, etc., did all the 
work, and in one hour the Tivola Garden — that is, at one end 
— was clear again of the Mexicans and our men in possession 
of the garden. 

At this instant Col. Childs ordered all soldiers that were 
able up on the ramparts of San Jose, and such cheers as we 
sent up none but American soldiers could send ; they made the 
very hills echo. Lieut.-Col. Black remarked that he did not 
think that we could halloo so loud and wicked — only getting 
half rations to live on and scarcely any rest. 

This little excitement and hurrahing called up our bugler, 
Mr. William Byrely, of Pittsburgh, Pa., who played Yankee 
Doodle, Hail Columbia, and other national airs, which caused 
another hearty cheering. The enemy are now out of sight and 
the firing has ceased. 

During the enemy's firing a rifleman was shot through the 
head and instantly killed on his post, No. 9. 



334 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Towards evening we left the ramparts, fully convinced that 
the enemy had changed their programme from a charge to a 
retreat. 

I regret to say that a nice little boy who was waiting on 
Col. Ramsey, of the Eleventh Regiment, like many others, when 
his regiment, the First, marched on to the city of Mexico, was 
left here sick, was shot through the leg while crossing the 
street. He cried bitterly, and wanted to see his papa and 
mamma. 

To-night Col. Black came to our quarters and ordered about 
fifty men up on the ramparts to watch the movements of the 
enemy. He thinks this retreat was only a sham to throw us 
off our guard. It rained hard at the time, which, of course, 
made it anything but comfortable for the men to lay on the 
ramparts without any shelter to protect them from the torrents 
of rain. Yet the men seemed to take it all cheerfully ; not a 
growl or murmur was heard among them. 

Twelve o'clock, night. — The Mexicans commence heavy firing 
on our pickets and quarters. This shows that they have not 
left the city. Our men are returning the compliment, and let- 
ting them know that we are still about. 

Saturday, October 9, 1847. — This morning Lieut.-Col. 
Black came to our quarters and asked those who were not on 
active duty to go on guard, as the firing was very heavy, and 
fearing that the enemy, on account of it raining, might make 
an attack, and drive in some of our pickets. He said that he 
was fully aware that we were nearly all done out, and to do 
this for his sake ; which orders were obeyed. It rained 
fearfully, yet the enemy kept up a constant firing, but doing 
little or no damage. 

About 10 o'clock, A. M., another flag of truce came into 
Gov. Child's quarters, asking Gov. Childs to cease firing and 
hostilities for three days, as the Archbishop of Puebla was 
dead, that they were going to hold high mass, and other 
religious ceremonies over him, and wishing no firing on either 
side during that time. We cheerfully accepted the ceasing of 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 335 

firing, for we wanted a little rest, too ; besides showing all due 
respect to the reverend dead. 

The flag of truce was this time accompanied by two Catholic 
priests. When they first came to our pickets they were, of 
course, halted, and the Sergeant of the guard called. The 
Sergeant noticed what was up, took the Officer of the Day, 
who happened to be Capt. Small, with him. Here Capt. 
Small took out his pocket handkerchief, and tied it over 
the priests' eyes ; after which he brought them stumbling to 
Gov. Child's quarters. During the time the priests were in Gov. 
Child's quarters the streets leading to our quarters were 
filled with a mass of excited people ; no doubt all anxiously 
waiting for their return, and to hear the result and prospect of 
the flag of truce. 

After their consultation was over the priests were escorted 
outside of our picket-line, and proceeded on down the street, 
where they were greeted by a large crowd of their fellow- 
citizens, who followed them to the Catholic cathedral and heard 
the report of their commission. 

At noon I was put on picket-guard with instructions not to 
fire on any Mexican, who might happen to be in the street, 
unless fired upon by the Mexicans first. After these in- 
structions I proceeded to Post 9. So while the Sergeant was 
going to the other sentinels to give them the same orders he, 
himself, had four shots fired at him ; one shot hit his coat 
button, and he made a very narrow escape from not being 
killed. The Sergeant returned and reported the outrage to 
Gov. Childs, who said that he would hold the armistice sacred, 
as becomes an American's honor. 

It was supposed by our men that the Mexican officers had 
not yet cautioned their sentinels on their posts. After this 
there was no more firing until towards evening, when one of 
Co. K, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was shot in 
the leg from a house-top, near Post No. 6. 

This has caused a little indignation among our officers and 
soldiers, about the Mexicans violating the armistice ; and if 
they don't stop firing we will return the fire. 



336 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

This evening the last of our beef has just been issued by our 
Commissary. So we will soon be out of beef and wood, 
and for some time only on half rations. The cry is, " What 
will become of us ?" If Gen. Lane don't soon arrive to our 
relief, God only knows what will become of us, for we have 
resolved never to surrender, and the Mexicans have threatened 
that if we don't soon surrender they will make this a second 
Alauio. Yet we still live in hopes of our train coming shortly. 
God speed to it and guide it safely through the fiery and 
threatening storm. 

There is scarcely any firing going on now, so I think the 
Mexicans will obey the armistice during the time named. 

To-night, about 12 o'clock, while my attention was drawn 
to our quarters, I was suddenly attacked by three Mexicans 
from behind ; one of these villains tried to stab me in my back, 
but the point of his dagger, hitting my cartridge-box belt, it 
glanced off, while the other greaser rushed in front of me, try- 
ing to take my rifle from me. At this instant I pushed the 
Mexican in front of me backwards and he fell into the street ; 
at this time I wheeled around and shot the one who was trying 
to stab me in the back ; he fell, but soon got up again, and the 
other two carried him off in their arms before I had a chance 
to reload again. This whole transaction of attempting to 
assassinate me was all done in about ten seconds. I must 
have shot the Mexican in the groin, because he was putting 
his hand there and groaning. The sentinel at Post 5 heard 
the scrambling and shot fired. I sent for the Sergeant of the 
guard, who soon reported himself, after which I related to him 
the circumstances : he remarked that I was the luckiest man in 
the whole garrison for narrow escapes. Oh ! I was wishing 
I only had a double-barreled gun at the time ! 

Sunday^ October 10, 1847. — This morning it gives me pleasure 
to note that the armistice is fully carried out on both sides, 
there being no firing. 

This is a lovely morning ; the sun came up from behind the 
hills clear and bright, and it reminds me of the many Sabbaths 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 887 

I have spent at home ; in fact, on account of everything being 
so very quiet, I feel as though I was once more in a free and 
Christian land. 

Before I was released from guard duty, I noticed two Catholic 
priests talking to some four or five greasers, who were making 
signs, motions, etc. I took it for granted that they were the 
very Mexicans who attempted to kill me last night. These 
old priests, as a general thing, are the bitterest enemies we 
have in this country ; they principally go around among the 
poor, ignorant, and half-civilized people, and make them believe 
that we, the Americans, are heretics ; that we were fighting for 
the cause of the diablo (devil), and against the Catholic Church ; 
that their, the Mexicans' cause was for God, Christ, and the 
Holy Catholic Church. In this way they make many people 
believe that if they fight for their country and the Catholic 
Church, and fall or be killed in fighting these heretics, their 
souls would then fly to heaven without any mass ; and this is 
one reason why so many bold, ignorant Mexicans stand up to 
be fired at, and blow their ignorant souls to heaven or some 
other port. 

Before I was relieved from guard I went and examined the 
track of the wounded Mexican, and I saw big blood spots as 
far as I dared to go, and from the loss of blood, showed that I 
must have wounded him pretty badly — the villain who would 
have been my ascsino (assassin), if not for an instant prevented. 

Thus, these holy apostles not being satisfied with shooting 
our men down whenever they show their heads outside of their 
quarters, but must come cowardly, sneakingly, up along the 
walls of the houses in the darkness of the night, and try to 
murder a man while his face, for a minute, is turned in another 
direction ; but I assure this is only lent ; I will, if God spares 
me, make it all right with them some day. 

In the afternoon the Mexicans again gathered in large num- 
bers in the Tivola Garden, and unexpectedly and unlooked for, 
commenced heavy firing on our pickets, also on our quarters ; 
but Gov. Childs bade us not to fire, as he was determined to 
22 



338 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

respect the armistice. So when the enemy saw that we took 
no notice of their firing they must have got ashamed of them- 
selves, and they soon ceased firing. 

In the evening another flag of truce came to our picket line, 
and was stopped until our Officer of the Day went down to 
blindfold the bearers, after which they were brought to Gov. 
Childs' quarters. They looked like Mexican officers in disguise 
of priests, trying to find out our numbers and positions ; but 
there is no use in coming in disguise ; they cannot fool us 
Yankees in that way, as we are becoming acquainted with their 
many tricks. The mission of the bearers of the flag was not 
made known to us, but it was rumored that it was about ex- 
changing prisoners. 

This afternoon the Mexicans are seen walking from one 
square or block to another as unconcerned as if there was no 
Yankee soldier in the city. 

This evening we saw the Mexicans withdrawing their forces 
from an old church building up by the Post No. 9 ; so we will 
no more hear the sounding of the reveille and tattoos grating 
on our ears from that quarter. Yet there are plenty of Mexi- 
cans in the church opposite the Tivola Garden, drilling every 
day and evening. 

Later in the evening, about 10 o'clock, our picket guard who 
is stationed in the rear of our quarters fired off two successive 
shots. This alarm aroused the whole garrison, and all rushed 
upon the ramparts, as to hear a fire from that quarter was 
something unusual ; but we were not up long before a heavy 
fire opened upon us from the ravine in our rear. We were so 
anxious to give them a volley that we could not hold from 
firing any longer ; so we let go, and gave them a couple of 
good volleys, which silenced them for the night. During this 
firing one of Co. I, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers 
was slightly wounded. 

After the firing was over, Gov. Childs sent word for us not 
to fire again unless the enemy attempts to make an attack ; he 
says he will, for his part, respect the armistice until the time 
runs out. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 339 

Monday, October ii, 1847. — This morning, after finding 
everything quiet, we left the ramparts, all still hungry with 
rheumatism from lying on the cold, damp roof all night, watch- 
ing the enemy. 

About 8 o'clock, a. m., the bells throughout the city com- 
menced to ring in honor of the archbishop's funeral ; they also 
tolled at intervals throughout the day. Yet, with all due 
respect and honor paid to the dead bishop on our side, the 
blanket greasers, who profess to be so religious, and swear by 
the gods that they will do anything — yes, even sacrifice their 
lives — for the Holy Church, kept up a continuous fire on us 
poor heretics and worshipers of the diable, during all these 
ceremonies ; in fact, most of the Mexicans paid no respect or 
regard for the dead bishop. No wonder there is no prosperity 
in this bigoted country. 

The gallant lancers would be riding up the Tivola Garden 
behind the large white pillars, and there, in bold defiance, 
brandish their swords ; and we couldn't help but laugh at their 
foolish movements. They kept at it for some time, and some- 
times fired off their guns ; and seeing that we were taking no 
notice of them in returning the fire, they left in disgust ; but 
no doubt the enemy thought it was imicho valentios. 

This evening a poorly-clad Mexican woman, who used to, 
before the siege commenced, bring us leclie to our quarters, has 
volunteered to be our spy. She got in past the Mexican sen- 
tinel without any suspicion, coming boldly up to our sentinel, 
who of course stopped her. She stated her errand, after which 
the Officer of the Day was called for, who quickly responded, 
took her to Gov. Childs' quarters, where they found a letter 
sewed in her garments. It was from Gen. Lane to Gov. Childs, 
stating that he, Gen. Lane, had a fight with Gen. Santa Anna 
at Huamantla, and whipped the old chieftain, and captured two 
pieces of artillery and Col. La Vega, son of Gen. La Vega, and 
Maj. Augustin Iturbide, son of the old revolutionist Emperor 
of Mexico. 



340 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Gov. Childs was urged to hold out, as he was at Amozo- 
quco, and would be in Puebla to-morrow forenoon. By this 
time a crowd had gathered around Gov. Child's quarters, 
waiting for the news ; when presently he came out on the 
balcony, smiling all over his face; he was received with cheers, 
after which, he made a thrilling and interesting speech. 

He spoke feelingly as well as eloquently, mentioning several 
incidents which happened during the siege, he finished by say- 
ing " that the day is ours, the enemy with their immense forces 
who have harrassed us for nearly two months are whipped, 
and thank God, that by to-morrow noon, we will be delivered 
from our bondage; the siege is ended, and the suffering and 
privation you have endured is now over, and I thank you men 
who have never faltered or murmured, for your heroic con- 
duct, and it shall forever be my proudest recollection, to point 
with pride to the officers and soldiers under my command, for 
their brilliant achievement of Puebla City. Again, I thank 
you, and may God bless you all." 

The speech was listened to with deep and earnest attention, 
and after its conclusion you should have heard the cheering, 
shouting, whooping, hugging and pulling one another to and 
fro, for about half an hour, what joy and gladness was on the 
faces of every soldier. Men were rushing around to hunt up 
the old Mexican woman, and when they had found her, they 
asked her about fifty different questions all at the same time, 
all anxious to hear more ; her only answer was Si, Si, Setior. 

To-night some of our men gave her a coat and a blanket, 
and she slept in our quarters. 

About lO o'clock, to-night. Gov. Childs came to our 
quarters, and told some of our men to keep an eye on her, for 
fear it might be a trick of the enemy's ; some of our men did 
keep an eye on her, but I think she is a friend of ours, and a 
true woman, and I feel fully satisfied that the letter from Gen. 
Lane is a genuine one. 

In fact, the movements of the people plainly show that 
there is something rotten on their side of the house. No firing. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 341 

thus we are undisturbed by the enemy ; thus with the good 
news of to-day, we can all rest and sleep with contentment. 

Tuesday, October 12, 1847. — This morning nearly all the 
soldiers were up by the dawn of the day. Some were looking 
and hunting up the old Mexican woman, asking her how she 
rested, while others were preparing (not for election), but for 
the reception of the long-looked-for train, which, according to 
the news, will arrive to-day. 

To-day being election, at home, and as we cannot partici- 
pate in defending the cause of our glorious Government at 
the ballot-box, our feelings and well-wishes are with those of 
our friends whom we know will do justice in defending the 
soldiers who are now upholding the principle of our glorious 
country's flag in the land of Montezumas. 

About 8 o'clock, a. m., the wood and vegetables arrived in 
our quarters, which at once showed us that the news of yester- 
day was true, and the Mexican sentinel was no longer to be 
seen going to his weary and watchful post. 

There were a few shots fired from the Saint Augustine 
Church, but doing little or no damage on our side. 

About 10 o'clock, A. M., the advance of Gen. Lane's com- 
mand began to come in sight of Puebla. 

The bells of Guadaloupa Heights rung, which was the first 
signal of our troops coming. Our old flag (the Stars and 
Stripes) was run up on the flag-staff, on the ramparts, which 
caused rousing cheers. 

The bells of churches in our neighborhood were rung, and 
Fort Loretto, from her towering ramparts, made the city of 
Puebla, and the hills around it, echo with the peals of her 
artillery. 

The mounted howitzers strained themselves in responding 
to the twelve pounders ; and we, the three hundred half starved 
Yankees (as Gen. Rea used to call us), were wild, and filled to 
overflowing, with enthusiasm. We sent up huzza after huzza, 
until the dragoons of Gen. Lane's army had entered the out- 
skirts of the city. 



342 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The lancers are now going to the plaza, and they seem to be 
determined to show fight before they leave this city. Gov. 
Childs instantly ordered Capt. Herron, of Co. K, First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to march down to the 
plaza, or near by, and take position. They started off, with a 
cheer, for the plaza. They were supported by Lieut. George 
Moore, of Co. D, First Regiment Penn.sylvania Volunteers. 
When Co. K got near the plaza, a body of about one hundred 
lancers showed themselves. Capt. Herron, seeing them form- 
ing in the plaza, ordered a charge on them, and succeeded in 
driving them back. But he kept following them up until he 
(Capt. Herron) was about three squares from the Alameda 
Park, where they stopped, and again showed fight by forming 
into line of battle, looking as if they were getting ready to 
charge on Capt. Herron's company. Capt. Herron now 
thought that the enemy had got him into a trap. He halted 
and formed his company to receive the charge, and, at the 
same time, telling his men not to fire a gun until they were 
sure that every shot fired would empty a saddle. After wait- 
ing for the lancers to charge, and seeing that they didn't intend 
to charge, on him (Capt. Herron), was about to face and fall 
back, but the men hallooed out, *' No ! no !" let us follow them. 
They followed the lancers until they got within one hundred 
yards of them, when they fired a volley of musketry into them, 
killing six or seven, besides wounding as many more. 

Before Capt. Herron's men could reload again the lancers 
had made a bold charge upon his company. The lancers 
were, in the meantime, re-enforced from another street. Capt. 
Herron now saw his danger and folly. He ordered his men 
to stand and charge bayonets, and every man to defend him- 
self the best way he could. They, of course, were soon over- 
powered, cutting our men right and left ; so much so that our 
men were obliged to retreat the best way they could, leaving 
thirteen of his gallant little band lying dead on the street. 
Some were almost cut in two. 

As soon as Lieut. Moore heard the report of musketry he 




Sentinel, Post 9. 

S IREET FIGHT, PUEBI A CITY. 



344 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

hastened to the support of Co. K, and our company (C) was 
ordered to follow Co. K, to drive the lancers, and save the 
balance of Co. K. After which they marched back to our 
quarters, and all but one (Co. K) were ordered out to escort 
the train into the city of Puebla. 

As soon as the advance of Brig.-Gen. Lane entered the city, 
by the National Road, a volly of musketry, from a large brick 
building on the left of the street, was fired upon them. Gen. 
Lane then ordered Col. Charles Brough's Fourth Ohio 
Regiment to be brought into line to charge on this building, 
to be supported by Col. Wynkoop's four companies, of the 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Capt. Simmon's 
battery. After which they charged with a Jiurrah ! When 
near the building they fired a volley into it, which seemed to 
be well fortified. The enemy now became so confused that 
they fled out the back way into the street. Our men then 
shattered down the doors, and broke the windows all to 
pieces. 

This brick building was only one square from our outer 
picket post, from which, during the siege, the Mexicans kept 
constantly firing on our men, and succeeded in killing and 
wounding many of them. The capturing of this building has 
caused great rejoicing among our men. 

In the charge on the building Mr. John Doyal, of Co. B, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was killed, besides 
others wounded. 

After the capture of this building, the enemy started to street 
fighting, and our men were fired upon from the houses which 
had the white flag hanging out of the windows. They, of 
course, were picked off at every opportunity by our sharp- 
shooters, with a hurrah. 

The lancers, who have given us a good deal of trouble, are 
now on a retreat towards the Alameda Park, firing as they fall 
back. Our cav^alry, consisting of six companies, under com- 
mand of Major Lally, were ordered into line, and, charging 
upon the retreating lancers, drove them about a mile beyond 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 345 

the plaza. Our riflemen would go into different streets, and 
whenever they saw a lancer, he would most surely be unsad- 
dled and sometimes his horse captured. Now and then we 
could see them pop down a greaser from the housetops. 

After we supposed we had driven the lancers out of the city, 
we returned to the fortified house just captured ; but before we 
got there, a body of lancers — no doubt hidden in some senor's 
yard — came riding out of a street and fired upon us, wounding 
several of our men. We instantly came to about face and 
made a rally on the lancers, and it was not long before we had 
them scampering off into different streets and alleys. 

By this time Col. Brough, of the Fourth Ohio, got full pos- 
session of the main entrance of the city, and sent a party of 
his men up on the steeple of the Saint Augustine Church and 
took down the Mexican flag and slit it into ribbons, and then 
let it fly to the winds, after which the Stars and Stripes, the em- 
blem of our country, was placed in its stead — now waving 
triumphantly in the breeze in the land of the Montezumas. 

But there is a good deal of street fighting and firing through- 
out the city. The foreign inhabitants of this city hung out 
their respective colors ; in fact, almost every Mexican house 
had a white flag flying from its window, and when we passed 
them, they would say, " The Americano jnucho valcntacJio niucJio 
valentias. 

After the enemy had left the city, some of our men went to 
work and plundered the houses that the Mexicans had been 
firing from during the day. Some made out very well, 
getting from one to two hundred dollars worth of silks, shawls, 
etc. I could have gotten plenty of the finest silks, but what 
good would they be to me ; so I took nothing but a splendid 
gentleman's shawl worth about thirty dollars. After I got 
this shawl, I left and returned to quarters ; and its well I did, 
for the patrol came around and gobbled up every one and took 
them to the guard-house. I intend to keep this shawl, and if 
I live will take it home with me, as a great relic. 

Every one of our men seem much rejoiced over the enemy 



346 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

having met with their final defeat in this city. Their ranks 
are now shattered, and their flags and banners which they 
used to fling in our faces, are now traihng in the dust in their 
own tierra calienta. 

Thus the long sitio (siege) of Puebla City is over, and the 
sufferings and privations, I hope, are now ended. The siege 
which lasted over one month, will forever stand in the memory 
of every soldier who participated in it, as one of the most sur- 
prising events in the history of the Mexican war. 

When its results are compared with the fierce and desperate 
contests and ever confident predictions of the now over- 
whelming and defeated enemy, let honor be given and 
recorded to those to whom it belongs. 

I hear to-night that Gov. Childs is veiy indignant and mad 
at Capt. Herron, of Co. K, for the blunder he made in follow- 
ing the lancers beyond his orders. 

It seems, that Capt. Herron was ordered to take a position 
near the plaza, and there to remain unless overpowered by the 
enemy, in which case, he was to fall back on his supporting 
company or to a place of safety. But instead of carrying out 
the instructions of his superior officer, he, Capt. Herron, (like 
most any other brave officer would do when the enemy were 
beating a retreat), kept following the lancers, until the lancers 
had Capt. Herron just where they wanted him ; then suddenly 
a company of lancers, who had been leading Capt. Herron's 
company into the trap, were re-enforced with about two 
hundred lancers. The enemy now seeing their opportunity, 
charged on Capt. Herron's brave little band, and killed and 
wounded nearly one-half of his company. Capt. Herron him- 
self, was wounded by a sabre cut, and made his escape by 
keeping under the lancer's horse. 

For disobeying his orders. Gov. Childs gave Capt. Herron 
a severe reprimanding, and told him, that he, Gov. Childs, 
would never report him in his general orders to the com- 
mander-in-chief So this is the reason that Capt. Herron's 
heroic deeds at Puebla City are not mentioned in Gov. Child's 
official report to Gen. Scott. 



348 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Wed)iesday, October 13, 1847. — This morning most all of 
our men were busy in killing hogs, turkeys and chickens, 
which we captured in our charge through the city yesterday; 
others were still out, plundering the deserted houses, which 
they continued to do until the dragoons were sent out to stop 
them. 

Many houses have still the white flags hanging out of their 
windows for protection. Flags are flying out of the very 
houses from which the enemy used to fire at us only a few 
days ago ; probably they have become reconciled. 

I noticed that pieces of artillery have been placed in several 
streets, so as to rake and scatter the enemy, should they at- 
tempt any further hostilities, but there is not much danger of 
their troubling us much more, as we have them just where 
we want them, except the guerillas, who will no doubt, take 
advantage of the soldiers who may be straggling through the 
city alone. 

To-day for the first time, we were informed of the sad in- 
telligence of the death of Capt. Samuel H. Walker. 

This distinguished partisan chief, the thunderboldt of the 
Texan rangers, fell mortally wounded at the battle of Hua- 
mantla, on the eighth instant, and expired in a few minutes. 
His last words to his men are worthy of his fame and heroic 
career, they were : " My brave comrades, I have at last run 
my race, my command over you will soon cease, yes, I hear 
the summons, but never mind me, maintain your ground 
firmly, don't yield an inch, and do as your commander did, 
fight until you die." And with a wave of his trembling hand 
he bade them " good-bye, and may God protect you all in 
this cause." 

His colored servant Sam (so-called), stood by him and 
fanned his fevered brow, he took it very hard and cried like a 
child. Sam thought the world of his master, in fact, the 
whole company thought a great deal of Sam, as he was with 
Capt. Walker in all his skirmishes and adventures in Mexico. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 849 

He fell, but not until the battle of Huamantla was fought 
and won. The shout of victory was the last sound which 
saluted the ears of the gallant Capt. Walker. 

Capt. Walker was born in Maryland, and at the time of his 
death was but thirty-two years of age. He had gone through 
more scenes of battles, adventures, bloody skirmishes, hair- 
breadth escapes and partisan warfare, than any other person 
ever encountered at the same age. He has been all through 
the Florida, Texan and the Mexican wars. 

After routing the guerillas on Gen. Zach. Taylor's route, he 
was ordered to ship his company of mounted riflemen to Vera 
Cruz, and join Gen. Scott. He soon marched his company to 
Perote Castle, where he was stationed to keep the guerillas 
and the other outlawed statesmen at bay. 

His bold and daring feats, struck terror to the hearts of 
these national highway robbers, on the National road. He 
was with us at the battles of Las Vegas and La Hoya, on the 
20th of last June, when he charged and routed the enemy in 
every direction, and was the general cause of the enemy's 
defeat. At Huamantla he took a conspicuous part. 

Before he arrived at Huamantla, he learned from his spies, 
that Gen. Santa Anna was moving from the above-named 
town towards the mountains ; he gave a Mexican (so I am 
told), fifty dollars, to point out to him, Walker, the spot where 
Gen. Santa Anna was ; the place was shown him, and he and 
his men resolved to hasten forward and try to surprise the 
enemy. On they dashed until they reached a narrow lane 
leading to the town, here the Captain ordered his men to close 
in two's. After getting closer into town, he gave orders to 
charge. 

Onward they galloped, over ditches and ruts, and then up 
the street, where Capt. Walker noticed the enemy moving 
their artillery in position so as to play on his men, but he was 
too quick for them, for he was now on top of them and had 
captured two pieces of their artillery. 

Capt. Walker trotting and galloping his horses, brought 
him way ahead of the Infantry. 



850 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Gen. Santa Anna now seeing that Capt. Walker was alone, 
called his lancers (some say about three thousand) together 
and approached toward Huamantla. Capt. Walker seeing the 
lancers coming, hastened with his men to place the captured 
cannons in position, and when the brave lancers came charg- 
ing on his little band, he fired the cannons right into their 
ranks and drove them back, capturing several prisoners. 

By this time, the Infantry under Gen. Lane and Col. Wyn- 
koop, were rapidly approaching to re-enforce Capt. Walker. 

The enemy, as stated, fell back. Capt. Walker loaded his 
guns, and was about changing his position to a churchyard 
surrounded by a high stone wall, to preserve the two cannons 
which he had captured, when at the same time a cowardly 
Mexican greaser, from the window or housetop, fired and shot 
him through his head, while another one shot him through his 
breast from behind the corner. He then fell in the arms of our 
Surgeon, Reynolds, of Mifflin Co., Pa., who used to be our 
family physician, and to whom I am indebted for the above 
information. 

The doctor also states that the ball passed through the right 
side of his forehead, penetrating to the base of the brain, and 
the escopet ball passed through his lungs, and that he refused to 
be removed. His men gathered around him and he addressed 
them in the words already mentioned. 

Just before he died Gen. Lane's forces began to come up. 
Col. Wynkoop hastened to Capt. Walker. He wanted to speak 
to him before he died, but it was all up. He died with a cheer- 
ing look. His men burst into tears. His remains were borne 
into the convent yard, there wrapped up in linen, after which 
he was buried without a coffin in a well-secluded spot. 

His men resolved from this out that they would take no 
prisoners, and death to all Mexicans found with firearms in 
their hands ; charged after the retreating army of Gen. Santa 
Anna, overtook them, and killed several hundred of the enemy. 
The carnage, they say, was awful — cutting the enemy down 
right and left, just like a mower cutting grass or grain. All 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 361 

along the road in which Capt. Walker's men and Maj. Lally's 
cavalry went was covered with the dead and wounded enemy. 

Thus, the death of Capt. Walker has and will cause the life 
of many a poor innocent Mexican. Our men look upon Capt. 
Walker's death as murder. All soldiers killed when no armed 
enemy is near is murder, and the guilty ones are treated as 
murderers. 

Thus this great Captain has suddenly met his death, and full 
too soon to gather the honors ripe for the more mature years 
of soldiers of daring and ambition. In our continued and 
varied experience in the army it has never been our fortune to 
meet a grander and nobler soldier than Capt. Walker. He 
was brave, faithful and obedient to his superior in rank and 
kind to his men. He was, without doubt, one of the bravest 
officers in our army ; in fact, to recklessness in all dangers, 
and it may well be said that no one could be more sadly missed 
from our army. Our whole regiment condoles with the com- 
pany in its irreparable loss ; all feel the loss of Capt. Walker 
with a sorrow which words cannot express. The social ties 
with him and his company's pride, shared by us all in camp, 
on the field and in garrison, are past and will be the memories 
of the past, — the hope for the future all riven by a flash sent 
by a Providence whose ways seem now, more than ever, past 
finding out. Thus a noble life has been put out by a cowardly 
assassin. 

This train brought up the other four companies belonging 
to our regiment, which were left stationed at the Castle of 
Perote, under command of Col. F. M. Wynkoop and Maj. 
Bowman. We had a glorious time hand shaking when we got 
together ; for they, having heard so much bad news about us, 
thought that we were nearly all killed off or starved to death. 
They also bring us the sad intelligence of the death of three 
of our company, namely, John Begley, died July 28th ; Edward 
Budy, died August 7th ; and Charles Smith, died August 15th. 
Mr. Begley was an old man, but Smith and Budy were both 
young men. All hail from Philadelphia. Mr. Budy's health 



352 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

was good when we left Vera Cruz — his face was the very pic- 
ture of an orange; but lying out in the wet day and night near 
Jalapa City, like many more, affected him and caused his death. 
I believe he was somewhat related to Budy, the baker, on 
Chestnut Street above Broad. 

The time we left Perote for this city (Puebla) these men were 
left back in the hospital sick with the diarrhoea. True, like a 
good many more, they did not die at the hands of the enemy's 
bullets, but died of disease contracted while gallantly defend- 
ing their country's cause. They now sleep, with their com- 
rades under the wings of Castle Perote. 

This evening a strong guard is stationed at the corner to 
keep the soldiers in their quarters. And the patrols are 
parading the streets, picking up all the stragglers they can 
find, to save them from getting their throats cut by the 
guerillas, as there is a great many guerillas running through 
the city in disguise, and if they come across any one of our 
men that cannot defend himself he is sure to be killed, and no 
mercy shown. One of the Fourth Ohio Regiment had his 
throat cut from ear to ear last night, and several others got 
stabbed in their backs, while trying to make their escape. 
There is now no firing, which seems very strange, being so 
used to it. We feel lost for want of amusement ; but, throw- 
ing all jokes aside, we are all mighty glad that the long siege 
is over. 

And the words of Gen. Scott to Col. Black, on his departure 
for the capital of Mexico, " There will be fighting enough for 
us all before this war is over," came true, and I think we had 
more than our share, and ought to have a good rest before we 
march any further. 

I hear to-night that John B. Herron, of our company, who 
was wounded some time ago on picket-guard, is very ill ; the 
wound has led into inflammation. 



CHAPTER VII. 

GENERAL LANE's NUMBER OF RE-ENFORCEMENTS LIST OF THE 

KILLED AND WOUNDED DURING THE SIEGE GEN. LANE 

ISSUED HIS PROCLAMATION FOR THE CITIZENS TO OPEN 

THEIR STORES GEN. LANE IN HOT PURSUIT OF GEN. SANTA 

ANNA AND PADRE JARAUTA EXECUTION OF MR. LEONARD 

CHARGING UPON OUR QUARTERMASTER'S WAREHOUSE, 

STORED WITH TOBACCO LEFT PUEBLA TO ESCORT A TRAIN 

TO VERA CRUZ GREAT NUMBER OF PRIESTS PEOPLE HELD 

IN IGNORANCE IN SMALL TOWNS MY KNAPSACK STOLEN 

ARRIVED ON THE OLD BATTLE-FIELD, CERRO GORDO ARRI- 
VAL OF GEN. PATTERSON'S FORCES CAMPED AT JALAPA 

EXECUTION OF TWO AMERICAN TEAMSTERS AND TWO MEXI- 
CAN OFFICERS— r-CAPT. SMALL LEFT US TO TAKE HIS SEAT 

IN THE STATE SENATE ARRIVED BACK TO PUEBLA CITY 

REMAINED FOR A WHILE. 

Thursday, October 14, 1847. — 'This morning, after breakfast, 
several of us soldiers paid a visit to the city to see what was 
going on, also to go around and see some of the new soldiers, 
where from, and by whom commanded. 

In the city, we found but little or no business going as yet, 
the stores being mostly closed, with a poor market. No doubt 
the guerillas under Gen. Rea and the priest Padre Jarauta, 
have destroyed all the marketing outside of the city, to keep 
it from us bad Yankees. 

The city is lined with soldiers, and the different companies 
are parading the streets, watching the movements of some of 
our friei)ds, commonly called greasers. 

We visited the different headquarters of Brig.-Gen. Joseph 
Lane's command. 

The first consisteid of Col. Charles H. Brough's Fourth Ohio 
Regiment; Col. W. A. Gorman's Fourth Indiana Regiment; 
Maj. Lally's I^att^lion of mounted riflemen, six hundred 
2^ ' (353) 



354 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

strong ; Capt. Heintzelman's Battalion of four hundred regu- 
lars ; Capt. Lewis' Company of mounted Louisiana Volun- 
teers ; Lieut. Christopher Lilley, (the prize fighter), one 
hundred and fifty mounted men ; our gallant and much 
lamented Capt. Samuel H.Walker's company of mounted Texan 
Rangers, one hundred and fifty men ; Capt. Simmons' two 
hundred regulars ; Capt. George Taylor's Co. A, Third Artill- 
ery, one hundred men, with three pieces of artillery, and Lieut. 
Pratt, with about seventy-five men and two pieces of artillery. 

Some of Lieut. Lilley's men informed us that they had had 
several hard skirmishes with the guerillas between Perote 
Castle and Vera Cruz, and at the fight of Paso de Oveja, Lieut. 
Cline of their company was killed, and several others wounded. 

It will be remembered, that Lieut. Lilley, before he entered 
the United States army, fought a prize fight. So if Lieut. 
Lilley should come across any of the bold and dashing lancers, 
he will surely bring in a big prize. 

We had quite a chat with some of Capt. Walker's men, they 
spoke in the highest terms and praise of their late Captain, 
and deeply mourn his loss. War was his element, the bivouac 
his delight, and the battle-field his play-ground, his perfection 
and inspiration ; he could fight and chase the guerillas all day, 
and dance the highland fling at night ; he was a splendid 
horseman and unsurpassed for firm riding and endurance. 

At noon a flag of truce came into the city, accompanied by 
a squad of Mexican lancers. It was from our old friend. Gen. 
Santa Anna, and what do you think the great chieftain wanted ? 
he wanted to exchange several of our teamsters for Cols. Itur- 
bide and La Vega, captured by Capt. Walker, at the battle of 
Huamantla. How they made out in regards to the exchanging, 
I did not learn, but one thing is sure, and that is Gen. Santa 
Anna must not think that we are so green as to exchange 
" teamsters " for high-commissioned officers ; yet the team- 
sters, in our estimation, are just as good to us, and more so, 
than the commissioned officers are to the Mexicans. But this 
is not the way to do business, tp cpmpare teamsters with 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 355 

officers of high rank, and Gen. Santa Anna ought to be 
ashamed of himself to think of such a thing as exchanging 
unmustered men for high officers. 

This afternoon, Col. Brough's Fourth Ohio Regiment and 
Capt. Walker's company, under Lieut. Claiborne, and Lieut. 
Lilley's company, went to Chulula, in pursuit of Gen. Rea. 
Heaven help Gen. Rea or any of his men, for the death of 
Capt. Walker still rests heavily on the minds of his men, who 
are swearing vengeance against any Mexican found in arms. 
Their cry is, " to show no quarters to the enemy from this time 
out," 

In the evening, Alburtus Welsh and myself went to an eat- 
ing establishment and called for supper. We had good tea, 
Jiucvos (eggs), ham, bread and butter ; the butter wasn't 
very good, but the rest we relished very much. After supper 
we took a promenade around the city again, which, but a few 
days ago, we had not dared to show our heads around the 
corners for fear of being shot. It was the same case with the 
Mexicans, they were held in the same position during the 
siege. 

Late this evening one of our spies went out to see whether 
he could find some guerillas outside of the city, but he soon 
returned and reported that all was quiet. 

I learned to-night that Capt. Herron, of the First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, has gathered all his men, who 
(through his bungling mistake,) were killed on the twelfth in- 
stant, and they will be buried to-morrow, side by side. The 
}-emainder of his company, as well as many others are censur- 
ing Capt. Herron for negligence in not obeying orders. 

I must also mention that we are greatly annoyed with pitlga 
(fleas) ; the Mexicans say, that it was the Spaniards who 
brought these cruel insects to this country ; therefore, they 
are called the " Spanish race of fleas." But let them come from 
where they may, they seeni to follow us and hang on nobly, and 
by their actions, they seern to prefer us Yankees, and particularly 
the fresh arrivals. 



356 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

I don't know why it is these pests should keep following us 
through this country, unless it is, that our skin is so much finer 
and whiter and our blood sweeter than the Mexicans. Oh ! I 
tell you, friends, they stick to us like beeswax, never letting 
go until squashed. 

Mr. George Kiem, of our company, has adopted a new and 
ingenious mode of avoiding these pests. He puts the skin of 
beef in each boot, wraps it up in an old pair of pantaloons, 
then folds his old blanket nicely around them and then puts 
the whole snugly to bed, and goes to sleep, and he is never 
troubled with piilgci. 

These pests are getting so saucy and determined, that they 
and the piojo (lice), have regular pitched battles with one 
another on our bodies. But of the two pests, give me fleas in 
preference to piojo ; but I am like all my comrades, troubled 
with both sometimes. 

Friday, October 15, 1847. — This morning about 9 o'clock, 
the thirteen unfortunate victims belonging to Capt. Herron's 
Co. K, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, were buried 
by a detachment of our garrison. It was truly a heart-break- 
ing scene to see those gallant young men, who, but a few days 
ago, were among us enjoying good health and in good spirits, 
hale and hearty, and full of hopes of soon going home and 
again seeing their wives, children, relatives, sweethearts and 
friends, but they are now sleeping in the embrace of death, 
and their spirits have returned to the God who gave it to them. 

After they were consigned to their final resting place, 
Lieut. -Col. Black stepped to the side of the graves and made 
some beautiful and touching remarks about the heroic dead, 
which brought tears to the eyes of all who stood by the 
graves. 

At noon. Gov. Childs, (through his spy), found out the 
whereabouts of Senor Don Rivera's printing and publishing 
establishment. Gov. Childs immediately sent Capt. William 
F. Small, with his company, to capture the printing establish- 
ment together with the proprietor. He started and qhargejd 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 357 

upon the printing office, he hunted high and low for Senor 
Rivera, but the bold, fearless and gallant Rivera (like Gen. 
Rea), had retired to the country for the benefit of his health. 
The printing apparatus was of the Howe patent of New 
York. 

During the siege, from this office was published and circu- 
lated, a large number of inflammatory hand-bills, urging and 
invoking the blanket gejitlemen to rise up in arms, and to cut 
the throats of the six hundred sick Yankees under Gov. 
Childs , making these poor ignorant people believe that our 
cannons and howitzers, stationed in front of our quarters, were 
made of wood and painted, and that it would be very easy to 
capture them. And, in consequence of these appeals, a large 
number of the above-named gentlemen ivearing blankets joined 
Gen. Rea, obtained muskets from him, and fought like heroes, 
(that is, of the Mexican kind), by firing around the corners 
from house-tops and balconies, on our sentinels, and on women 
and children alike. 

It is now in our possession, and it is rumored, that John 
Kritser of our company, with several other men, are going to 
publish a new paper soon. John is a good and conservative 
soldier, and I know that he will publish a good little paper. 

On our charge on the printing office, we came across the 
remaining corpse of John H. Burgess, the rifleman who was 
killed in a charge led by Lieut. Morgan, on October 2, 1847. 
His body has been lying in the street ever since that date, ex- 
posed to our view all the time. The dogs had him nearly 
eaten up. His comrades went and gathered the balance of 
his body up and gave it a decent burial in a lot ; the hedvondez 
(stench), was so great, that they had to hold their nose and 
mouth. 

Col. Brough and party who started to Chulula yesterday 
morning, returned late last night without seeing anything of 
Gen. Rea or Padre Jarauta, the holy father. 

Col. Broughs' regiment is still quartered in Saint Augustine 
church, and Col. W. A. Gorman's Fourth Indiana Regiment 



358 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

and Capt. Walker's company, under Lieut. Claiborne, are 
quartered in the Plaza ; Maj. Lally's mounted riflemen, are 
quartered at Gen. Joseph Lane's headquarters, they are his 
body-guard. 

This afternoon another flag of truce came in, but coming to 
Gen. Lane's headquarters us privates could find out nothing. 

It was escorted by a large body of lancers — and fine look- 
ing fellows they were — they must have been Gen. Santa 
Anna's body-guard, they were the best dressed and finest 
looking men we have yet seen. 

Comrade Bymaster and myself took a walk into the city, 
and we noticed that the stores were still closed, and no doubt 
will be until Gen. Lane issues his proclamation for safety. 

We also learned that Col. Augustine Iturbide, was one of 
Gen. Santa Anna's aids at the battle of Huamantla. He is an 
American by birth, and has a mother, and a brother named 
Angles de Iturbide, now living in Philadelphia, Pa. 

In the evening the mail, which came up by the last train, 
was distributed to the different companies, and I received one 
letter from home, which, I assure you, gave me much satis- 
faction. I shall answer it in a few days. 

Later in the evening while in our quarters, orders were 
read, that Thomas Zeigle was appointed Orderly Sergeant of 
our company in place of Orderly Sergeant Henry Cornish. 

Thomas Zeigle hails from Little York, Pa., and his appoint- 
ment has caused a little dissatisfaction among a certain Phila- 
delphia clique; but the majority of our company are well 
pleased with the appointment; and as regards his capacity and 
ability, there are none better qualified for the position than 
Thomas Zeigle, he is a gentleman and a scholar, a soldier and 
precise in manner. He graduated at Gettysburg College. 

To-night I noticed several of our men very drunk on ac- 
count of Sergt. Henry Cornish being broke. 

The following are the names as far as could be ascertained, 
of the killed and wounded during the siege of Puebla City : 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 



359 



James McCutcheon, Co. A, First Reg't Penna. Vol., wounded. 

George Rashberger, Co. A, " " " 

John Hoover, Co. A, 

David Lindsay, Co. A, 

Henry Lynch, Co. A, 

Mansfield Mason, Co. A, 

James Bouden, Co. A, 

Robert Wilson, Co. A, 

John Wilson, Co. A, " 

John Dolan, Co. A, 

William Eurick, Co. C, " " killed. 

Charles Collison, Co. C, " " wounded. 

John B. Herron, Co. C, 

Corp. Sylvester Beesley, Co. D, " " " 

JohnMcClellan,Co.D,(Reddy.) " 

James Lambert, Co. D, " " " 

John Longstaff, Co. D, " " missing. 

J. P. Willias, Co. G, " " wounded. 

W. N. Shultz, Co. G, 

John Preece, Co. I, " " killed. 

David W. Yarlott, Co. I, " ". wounded. 

John Ellis, Co. I, " " " 

Luke Floyd, Co. I, 

Sergt. Dominick Devanny, Co. I, " " " 

Corp. E. H. Jones, Co. K, " " killed. 

John C. Gilchrist, Co. K, 

John H. Herrod, Co. K, 

F. B. Johns, Co. K, 

Henry Krutzelman, Co. K, " " " 

James Phillips, Co. K, 

Wm. A. Phillips, Co. K, 

S. D. Sewell, Co. K, " « « 

William Smitz, Co. K, 

D. S. Vernay, Co. K, 

F. Vandyke, Co. K, " " 

Joseph Wilson, Co. K, 



860 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 



Samuel Fryer, Co. K, First Reg't Penna. Vol., killed. 

Capt. John Herron, Co. K, " " wounded. 

Thomas B. Furman, Co. K, " 

A. E. Marshall, Co. K, 

W. C. Winelriddle, Co. K, 

Thomas B. Thornbury. " 

R. Reed, Co. K, 

Samuel Sloop, Co. K, " 

Charles W. Blakeman, " 

James S. Nagley, Co. K " 

John H. Burgess, Voltiguer Rifleman, killed. 

Capt. John Mose, Spy Company, wounded, since " 

David Ricketts, Co. F, Rifleman, wounded. 

Lieut. Williams, South Carolina Reg't, " 

Private Cornwell, Second Dragoons, " 

Smith, Rifleman, killed. 

Josiah Blair, Mounted Rifleman, Co. D, wounded. 

Private Campbell, Co. B, Rifleman, " 

Eli Stewart, Co. D, Third Dragoons, " 

Lieut. McKeer, Second Reg't Penna. Vol., " 

A. B. Duncan„ Quartermaster's Department, " 

Dr. Bronaugh, Baltimore Battalion, " 

Wm. Waddel, 

Sergt. Wm. Deal, Second Reg't Penna. Vol., " 

John Biers, " " " 

Wm. Johnson, " " " 

Wm. Curry, Second U. S. Artillery, " 

Wm. Patterson, Co. E, Second Artillery, " 

Private Newton, Co. E, Fourth Artillery, " 

John H. Rowney, Co. K, Second Artillery, " 

Thomas Russell, Second Reg't Dragoons, " 

J. P. Hardy, Co. G, Voltiguer Reg't, 
David Ryan, Musician, " 

James Wilkner, Musician, " 

Lieut. Speery, Second Reg't Penna. Vol., killed. 

Twelve others, whose names I could not get, " 

Adolphus Wengierski, Private Secretary and inter- 
preter to Col. Childs, wounded. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 361 

SatJirday, October i6, 1847. — This morning, after we had 
our breakfast, John Newman, Joseph C. Taylor and myself 
took a walk down the city, when we noticed another fine body 
of lancers coming into the main plaza. They went to Gov. 
Childs's quarters, bearing a white flag. We followed them, 
and took a good look at them, as well as examining their fire- 
arms and equipments, and, by their conversation, I learn that 
they are escorting the Hon. Mr. Bankhead, British Minister to 
Mexico, to Vera Cruz — he being sick. Not caring to leave 
his bones whitening on the sunny soil of Mexico, he goes 
home. Oh, I wish I was a minister, I would be sick too ! 
They finally left, and we took a promenade around the city 
and viewed the damages Fort Loretto did during the siege. We 
also visited the great cathedral, and after spending several hours 
here, we left for the main plaza, and strolled around viewing 
the manners and modes of the market people, which are any- 
thing but like ours. From here we weni to the palace, which 
was hit by several round shot during the siege. 

Sunday, October 17, 1847. — This morning I was obliged to 
get up early on account of these infernal pidga, who let us 
have no rest in the morning. When I woke up I was sur- 
prised to see my shirt sleeves and shirt collar all spotted Avith 
blood as if I was fighting. It seems to me that these atrocious 
blood-suckers are getting bolder and more numerous every 
day : probably it is on account of the fresh arrival of Yankees ; 
if so, I wish they would follow them and leave us poor skinned 
fellows alone. 

At noon I took a walk around the P/aaa de Toras, where 
we were quartered before the main army left for the city of 
Mexico, and to my sad disappointment, I saw it was burnt 
down to the ground — that is the wood-work. One of the 
Mexicans who lives close by informed me that the lancers 
quartered there most of the time of the siege, and burned it 
down when Gen. Lane's army entered the city ; poor fun, 
burning their own properties. There is nothing left but the 
high stone wall around its ruins. I returned to quarters and 



362 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

commenced writing letters, so as to have them ready by the 
next mail that goes down to Vera Cruz. 

Monday, October i8, 1847. — This morning Gen. Lane issued 
his proclamation, and the stores were soon all reopened, and 
business is going on in fine style, and everything begins to 
look old fashion ; that is, as it did before the main army left 
for the city of Mexico. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., another flag of truce came to Gov. 
Childs' quarters, wanting to know on what terms he would 
exchange or release Cols. La Vega and Iturbide; but the gov- 
ernor gave them poor satisfaction, and told them the only way 
to exchange was man for man, grade for grade. Being as the 
Mexicans have no prisoners of ours higher than a sergeant, 
there is little chance of these distinguished officers being re- 
leased. 

At noon, Col. Manuel Dominguez, with his spy company 
(all Mexicans , came into this city from the city of Mexico. 
They bring important despatches from Gen. Scott to our Gov. 
Childs, and for our Government at Washington, D. C. Col. 
Dominguez reports that the roads are full oi vagarosora (wan- 
dering vagrants) and guerillas between here and the city of 
Mexico, and it was with great difficulty that they got through. 
Several times the guerillas had driven the spy company, and 
they were sometimes obliged to take to the mountains for safety. 

In the evening Juan Mose was shot — by whom or how it is 
not known. His death is deeply lamented by all who knew 
him. During the siege of Puebla he had command of the 
fortification on Col. Black's quarters and acted nobly. He was 
captain of a spy company, and made several blunderbusses on 
tops of houses. He formerly belonged to a circus company, 
and was left sick at Jalapa City ; and on coming up to this city, 
Gen. Santa Anna took him a prisoner, taking all he had from 
him, and then let him go like a vagaroso (a wandering vag- 
rant). He was determined to have revenge on Gen. Santa 
Anna, and was to go with Gen. Line in pursuit of him to- 
morrow morning to Atlixco. He was a man of nctve and un- 
doubted courage. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 363 

I just now hear that Gen. Lane started out an expedition 
against the town of Chululu, following up some of Gen. Santa 
Anna's retreating forces. They came upon the Mexicans un- 
expectedly, killing a great many guerillas and taking some 
prisoners ; that is, officers ; privates we won't have. Capt. 
Walker's company was with this expedition, and this is the 
cause of so many Mexicans getting killed — determined to carry 
out their revenge for the death of their captain. In this little 
fight there were released twenty-one American prisoners ; 
among them were Morris Stemler and J. Longstaff, both be- 
longing to our regiment, who were taken prisoners at the fight 
with the guerillas, while after the stolen mules. They also 
captured two pieces of artillery and any quantity of ammunition 
and arms. After routing and driving the Mexicans in all di- 
rections, returned to Puebla this evening at ten o'clock. Our 
old friend, Morris Stemler, returned to our quarters, much 
rejoiced at his release, and reported the above facts. He is 
telling us some hard yarns ; how the Mexicans treated and 
threatened him, what they would do, and what they made him 
do. 

Gen. Santa Anna was not at Chulula, but is reported to be 
at the town of Atlixco, about eighteen miles from this city, 
with his retreating army. Within a few days, poor old Santa 
Anna, I fear, will have to vamoose from his dear native land to 
seek shelter or safety in some other country. 

Tuesday, October 19, 1847. — This morning Gen. Lane left 
Puebla with fifteen hundred men for Atlixco. This expedition 
is composed of Capt. Taylor's Third Artillery, Lieut. Pratt's 
Second Battery of Light Artillery, two companies of the Third 
Dragoons, under the command of Capt. Ford, and Captain 
Walker's old company, under the command of Capt. Biddlc. 
The latter company goes with this expedition to avenge the 
death of their late commander, Capt. Walker. They ask no 
quarter and will show none ; so look out for fun. 

This morning about 10 o'clock, Michael Leonard, who passed 
himself as a teamster, but is really nothing but a blackleg and 



364 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

an army follower, was hung in the main plaza for the accidental 
murder of another teamster, named William Hampton. The 
quarrel and shooting occurred on the last march of Gen. Lane's 
forces from Vera Cruz. It seems, from what I can learn, that 
Mr. Leonard had several quarrels with a wagon-master named 
Mr. Boulet, and the day after the battle of Huamantla he 
(Leonard) shot at Boulet, hitting him in the arm — which after- 
wards had to be amputated — and the same shot hit and killed 
Mr. Hampton. 

He walked up on the scaffold with a firm step, and evinced 
no fear to die. He made a rambling speech, and wound up by 
saying that he didn't regret dying, that his sentence was a just 
one, that he was sorry that he did not kill Mr. Boulet in place 
of poor Mr. William Hampton, that he had fully prepared 
himself to meet his God, and was now ready to die. The 
priest then handed him the crucifix ; he embraced and kissed 
it, after which the priest left the scaffold, and then the solemn 
moment having arrived, the drop gave way, down went poor 
Michael Leonard, swinging between heaven and earth, until 
he was pronounced dead, and then lowered and carted away on 
some lot for burial. 

Mr. Leonard hailed from Texas, and I have been informed 
that his profession was that of gambler and follower of the 
United States army. He has at last met his match, and, as 
the saying is, he has been most unmercifully euchred. 

During the execution the plaza was crowded with greasers 
and blanket gentlemen, watching the proceeding and the ma- 
noeuvring of the prisoner, and it was really laughable to see 
those who came too late to see the execution. Those that 
were there had to show and explain to those who did not see 
it how it worked, and motioning with their hands how it was 
done. They never had seen any person hung before, as the 
Mexican punishment for a crime like the above is to shoot the 
murderer on some lot, and I think it is more appropriate for 
the penalty. The Mexicans look upon the hangingof a person 
as barbaro and blasfenianientc (barbarous and blasphemous), 
in mocking Christ crucified, and call wi poganos (heathen). 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 365 

To-day the general talk among the soldiers, and the Mexi- 
cans too, is about Gen. Lane's expedition to Atlixco in pur- 
suit of the volador (flying) army of Gen. Santa Anna and Don 
Lorenzo Rea. 

Everything in and about the city seems very quiet. Busi- 
ness is going on again as usual, and the city is again supplied 
with biiLiis (marketing), and those soldiers who have the ready 
cash can buy most anything in the eating line. 

This afternoon Capt. Juan Mose, of a spy company, and 
well known to every member of the garrison — who was shot 
dead yesterday by a drunken follower of the army — was buried. 
He was followed to his final resting-place, near his quarters, by 
most all of the officers under Gov. Child's command. The 
crime was without provocation, and apparently without motive. 
The assassin is still at large. 

In the evening Mr. John Byers, our beef quartermaster, who 
w^as taken prisoner by Gen. Rea's guerillas on September 
19th, made his escape, and, like all the rest of his fellow-pris- 
oners, was much rejoiced at his liberation. He also tells some 
hard tales about Gen. Rea and his guerilla forces — how he was 
treated and what they made him do — telling Mr. Byers that 
they would kill all the pagaiio Americans in Mexico before 
we get out. He says that many a night he did not sleep a 
wink for fear that some crazy drunken guerilla would kill him 
for fun. 

In regard to killing us Yankees all off before we get out of 
Mexico, I think the way things look now, that it will be re- 
versed, and particularly to those who come into the clutches 
of Capt. Sam. Walker's men ; for they have jurado (sworn) 
that they will take no more prisoners from this time out. So, 
tunbra, look out for the death pasa (knell) rings in the ears of 
every man in Capt. Saml. Walker's company, for they will 
avenge his death. 

Wednesday, October 20, 1847. — This morning we are all 
anxiously looking for news from Gen. Lane as to how he 
made out with Gen. Santa Anna at the villa, or town of 
Atlixco. 



366 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

At noon the officers of our detachment gave a complimen- 
tary dinner to Gov. Childs, for his heroic and gallant conduct 
during the long siege of Puebla. There was a jolly time 
among them ; toasts were drank, songs sung, and stories and 
incidents of the siege were related and speeches was the 
order of the day. 

The last toast drank was by Gov. Childs, and it was the 
best of them all, as follows : " To Capt. William F. Small, 
the accomplished and successful burglar, who, in a single 
night, broke through forty stone houses, and took the Mexican 
batteries." 

This speech caused great cheering and clapping of hands, 
and Capt. Small replied to it in an appropriate manner, 
We, the privates, were of course not admitted to the room, 
but we did wish ourselves in when the bottle was going 
around. 

This afternoon about two o'clock, an express came into our 
headquarters, stating that Gen. Joe. Lane had fallen in with Gen. 
Rea's forces, at or near Atlixco. On account of the roads 
being so much broken up and with gullies everywhere, it was 
impossible for him to make any kind of headway with the 
artillery, and he did not arrive at Atlixco until last evening. 

He then commenced planting his artillery on a high hill 
overlooking the villa of Atlixco, firing shell and round-shot 
into the most thickly populated portions of the town. 

It being moonlight, they had a fine view of the town. The 
Mexicans kept up firing until this morning, when they 
ceased. 

Gen. Lane then marched into town, and followed the re- 
treating army of Gen. Rea and completely routed them. Gen. 
Rea left last night for the small villa of Matamoras, leaving 
his men to fight it out themselves. 

Gen. Santa Anna, it is reported, had left the night before, 
but for where, nobody knows nor cares. 

The gallant Capt. Walker's men again distinguished them- 
selves in this fight; they carried out their motto, and did not 
give a single Mexican any quarters. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 3G7 

This is tlie second time that our cavahy has had a dash at 
the gallant guerillas and lancers, and if any set of men got 
cut up it was the Mexicans ; for instance, to show you how 
deceitful the Mexicans are, during the conflict, a lancer rushed 
from the chaparral and fired his escopet at one of Capt. 
Walker's men, when the Mexican saw that he had missed his 
man, he threw up his hands and asked for mercy and spare his 
life, but none was shown him, in an instant, the Mexican had 
his head cut off close to his shoulders. 

There were not many lancers killed, and their horses being 
fresh, they made their escape ; but the poor infantry suffered 
hard, but few escaped the sabres of Capt. Walker's men. The 
loss of the Mexicans was about two hundred and fifty killed 
and wounded ; our loss was one killed and two wounded, 
what a contrast. 

Atlixco has been the principal headquarters of Gen. Rea 
during the siege of Puebla, and it was the general rendezvous 
of all the guerillas operating in this immediate neighbor- 
hood ; but it is now broken up, and I think the citizens are 
glad of it, as the guerillas would just as soon rob a Mexican 
as they would a Yankee. 

This evening Col. Dominguez' spy company left for Vera 
Cruz. They went down the back way or road, fearing some 
of the defeated guerillas might get on their track. They passed 
our quarters and looked remarkably well in appearance. 

This evening, at the company's roll-call, I was notified by 
Capt. W. F. Small, in the presence of the company, that J. Jacob 
Oswandel was appointed Third Corporal of Co. C, First Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers. This announcement has .<»truck 
terror in some of the Philadelphia clique ; but at the same time 
they could say nothing against me as a soldier, as I have, ever 
since I have been in this company, done all the duties, and 
more too, than was required of me to do. 

Thursday, October 2\, 1847. — This morning Col. Dominguez' 
espia compania (spy company) returned to this city. He had 
not crone far before he fell in with over three hundred guerillas, 



3GS NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

well mounted on spirited horses. Col. Dominguez engaged 
them successfully, and captured thirty splendid horses, fully 
equipped, when he came to this city. He passed down the 
street, making a fine appearance. Col. Domingucz reports that 
in the engagement he lost but twelve men, while that of the 
enemy was over one hundred. He also says, had his force 
been one hundred stronger, he could have taken the whole 
party. Col. Dominguez pursued them until they arrived at a 
hill, where the enemy made a stand and disputed to pass the 
spy company ; so Col. Dominguez thought it advisable not to 
engage them, his force being too small to charge up the hill. 

In the afternoon the dragoons came in from Atlixco, and 
reported that Gen. Lane was very successful at Atlixco, and 
that Gen. Lane had left with the infantry and Lieut. Pratt's 
battery for a small town, Matamoras, the place the Mexicans 
had retreated to. 

It seems Gen. Lane is determined to follow up these bands, 
of numerous desperadoes and guerillas, for the purpose of supr 
pressing these outcasts and highway robbers, 

Friday, October 22, 1847.— This morning we received inforr 
mation theit a house at the end of this city was stored with 
ammunition ; so a party of ten men, who volunteered to go 
with Capt. Hill, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and 
who, at the time, was Officer of the Day. to search the j^lace, 
started, but arrived too late, as the Mexicans had moved it from 
there. They saw a Mexican officer run back in the-house, our 
men followed him, and finally captured him. They found on 
him a sword and a pair of pistols. His horse was saddled and 
tied in the yard. They brought the man and his horse at once 
to Gov. Childs' quarters, and turned them over. 

In the evening Gen. Lane's command came into Puebla City ; 
they ran the lancers and guerillas until none could be found to 
chase. 

Late this evening a party of our soldiers forced and broke 
open the back door of our quartermaster's (Capt. Webster's) 
room, and stole and rolled away about three hundred bales of 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 3G0 

tobacco, worth several thousand dollars. This is the same 
tobacco we captured from the enemy September 23d, and our 
soldiers thought that they had as good a right to it and sell it 
as Capt. Webster had, who has been selling it to the Mexicans 
for forty-five dollars per bale. The quartermaster, hearing the 
back door forced open and the tobacco rolling away, sent word 
to the Officer of the Guard, who sent a force of men, under 
Sergeant Edwin R. Biles, to stop the taking away of the tobacco. 
This caused a little growl among those who were a little late 
in getting any, and rcjr^icing among the lucky ones, but soon 
all was quiet again. 

Saturday, October 23, 1847. — This morning I noticed that 
around our quarters looked like a tobacco warehou.se. Some 
of our men realized from ninety to one hundred dollars on it ; 
in fact, it seemed that nearly every soldier was in the tobacco 
business ; and I noticed some of Co. D, First Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, after they had sold what they had to the 
Mexicans, got up a file of soldiers, headed by Sergeant Bill 
McMullin, went to the Mexicans to whom they had sold their 
tobacco and demanded the return of the tobacco, as they, the 
guard, were sent by Gov. Childs for it ; but the poor Mexicans, 
who probably had paid out all the money they had, thought 
that this was a rather sharp game, and showed a disposition to 
decline giving it up after "Ccx^zy paguy (paying) for it. Finally 
the sergeant and his gang told the Mexicans that if they/^^a 
(payj them so much money, they, our men, would let the 
Mexicans have the tobacco, and report to the officers that the 
tobacco could not be found. To this the Mexicans agreed, 
and paid to each man so much money, after which the pre- 
tended guard went away rejoicing and laughing over their 
rough joke of getting pa.id tvvice for their tobacco ; this the 
roughs think is smart, but the more civilized portion of our 
soldiers think it was nothing else but highway robbery, and all 
should be punished for it. 

In the afternoon, Col. E. Dominguez came to our quarters, 
and took with him several Mexicans, who have been our 
24 



370 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

prisoners, to' join his espia company, now numbering one 
hundred and twenty-three men, and is recruiting fast. 

Late in the evening some of our soldiers made another charge 
on Capt. Webster's tobacco warehouse and soon had the plaza 
in front of our quarters stored full of tobacco bales. It looked 
like the levee at New Orleans ; but they carried the business 
on too boldly, and the officers and guard came and stopped it, 
and arrested several of the soldiers, and afterwards went around 
the different quarters and gathered some of the tobacco. 

Later, rumor has it that the tobacco captured during the 
siege, and stolen from the quartermaster, does not belong to the 
Mexican government, but to a private firm named B. J. Do- 
mercqu & A. Porte, and that they are going to make claim 
against our Government for every pound lost. This rumor, 
probably, was the cause of the officers and the guard going 
around the quarters and gathering up the tobacco. Uncle Sam 
will have to pay for it. 

Sunday, October 24, 1847. — This morning it is rumored 
through our quarters that we would accompany Col. F. M. 
Wynkoop's command back to Perote Castle. We were all 
anxious to know the truth of this report, as we have a great 
many things to get rid of — in fact, we are so well fixed that 
we don't care about moving, and in particular in that direction ; 
for we all want to march on to the city of Mexico before we go 
backward. 

Sure enough, this afternoon we received general orders to 
pack up and move in the morning. The question now was, 
what shall we do with our things on hand ? The only remedy 
was to get to work and get rid of them the best way we could. 
So we set up a regular auction sale — selling our beds, bedding, 
glassware, cut decanters, pictures (some of the finest and rarest 
kind), britannia ware, damask and cane-bottom chairs and a 
large lot of tobacco (this was mostly taken by the officers), also 
clothing of every description — all captured from the Mexicans 
during the siege of Puebla. Our terms of sale were caxa (cash), 
no confipr (trust) or pocqtampo^ as \ye u.-^ecj to call it. You c^n 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 371 

rest assured that there was a gay old time about Quartel for 
about three hours, carrying things away after they were paid 
for. My Httle desk I used to write on I sold to a Mexican 
friend of mine, with leave to keep it until to-morrow morning, 
as I wanted to write several letters on it, this being the only 
opportunity to write for some time to come. 

In the evening a good many of our old Mexican friends 
came to see us, bidding us buenos por (good-by) and bucnos 
lacay (luck) ; also some of the new arrivals who are expecting 
to settle in our quarters when we leave are picking out their 
places to bunk. 

One of my letters I penned to-night is to my old school- 
mate, George W. Bare, of Granville Township, Mifflin County, 
Pa., as follows : 

PuEBLA City, Mexico, ] 
October 24, 1847. J 

Dear Friend : — I again embrace the favorable opportunity 
of writing to you to let you know that I am well, and I hope 
that this letter may find you rejoicing in the same state of 
health. 

I received your letter about two weeks ago, and you can't 
imagine how glad and rejoiced I was \vhen I received your kind 
letter. I should have written to you before this time, but our 
communication with Vera Cruz has been cut off by the noto- 
rious guerillas. 

You will also perceive by this letter that our detachment has 
not advanced any further into the interior of Mexico, as I 
mentioned in my last letter to you. 

On the 7th of August we received orders from Gen. Scott 
that our detachment of six companies was to remain here to 
form the main garrison of Puebla City. This caused great 
dissatisfaction among our men. 

The Mexicans noticing that our forces were very small to 
garrison such a large hostile city, (with nearly a hundred 
thousand inhabitants], began to get very independent and 



372 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

saucy, and at night got to killing some of our soldiers who may 
happen to be a little way from our quarters. 

I am not going to give you an account of the long siege of 
Puebla City, for you have, no doubt, before this reaches you, 
read of it; but I shall merely tell you, that from the 26th of 
August to the 1 2th of October, the very day of our State elec- 
tion at home, we were constantly fired upon, both day and 
night, from all the streets leading to our quarters. 

We have been watching the enemy night and day for more 
fifty days ; this was all done cheerfully and without a murmur, 
all were anxious and ready to perform any duty that might be 
consigned to them to do, and whenever there was a sentinel 
shot down, there was always another jumped up and volun- 
teered to go on in his place. Oh, yes, (not being with the 
main army), I fear the historians will never give us full justice 
for the long unwavering courage, the splendid discipline and 
heroic and successful defense of Puebla. The sufferings 
and hardships endured, is in itself worthy of the brighest 
page in the history of the Mexican war. 

I had almost forgotten to mention the death of Capt. Samuel 
H. Walker, he fell mortally wounded, at the battle of Hua- 
mantla, and soon after expired. We little thought that he 
would so soon be called from among us. But providence 
teaches us, "that in the midst of life we are in death;" and 
that though we may achieve all that early ambition promptly, 
we cannot conquer the destroying angel ; that to be honored 
and idolized here, does not stop the march of man from the 
cradle to the tomb. 

No man of his age, has departed from this world with better 
earned fame, than our much lamented and gallant Capt. Wal- 
ker, and his memory will be cherished as long as the nation 
shall exist. Silencio dc so ccniza (peace to' his ashes). 

I am no more a private soldier, having been appointed, a few 
days ago as Third Cqrpqral of Co. C, First Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 373 

For this promotion I am thankful to my Captain, who has 
always treated me with due respect as a man and a soldier. 
In fact, Capt. Small is one of the best officers to his men, in 
our regiment. To soldiers who do their duty, Capt. Small is 
their best friend, but to soldiers who will not do their duty and 
refuses to obey his orders, Capt. Small is a terror, and they re- 
ceived no friendship or favors from his hands. No, no, Capt. 
Small is no friend to soldiers who shrink from duty. 

I am also thankful to Capt. Small for mentioning my name 
in his, Capt. Small's general report to the commander. Col. 
Thomas Childs, Civil and Military Governor of Puebla City^ 
which I will copy and send to you, as follows : — 

"Private J. Jacob Oswandel, of Mifflin County, Pa., has also 
distinguished himself by his steady bravery and untiring zeal in 
volunteering his services at exposed pickets, and his skill in the 
use of his musket, having killed several of the enemy during 
the siege, he being one of the best and bravest soldiers in my 
company." 

During the siege the Mexicans started up several excite- 
ments in raising the people to take up arms and drive the Yan- 
kees out of the city. It is done by ringing the church bells in 
a rapid manner. Now, there are from seventy to seventy-five 
churches in Puebla, and each church has from six to ten bells; 
the cathedral has, I believe, sixteen bells. So you can imag- 
ine that when the bells are all rung in rapid succession that it 
makes a rattling noise, and the citizens come running from all 
sections to the main plaza in front of the cathedral. Here 
they are addressed either by some priest or broken-down poli- 
tician or military man, urging the people to arms, making them 
believe that we (the Yankees) are now living on mule-meat, 
and that the Yankees can't hold out much longer — that they are 
now starving. This kind of business was carried on until Gov. 
Childs ordered two twelve-pounders and a ten-inch mortar at 
Fort Loretto to open directly upon the cathedral and the plaza, 
the shells bursting in the plaza and in the houses, shaking 
the houses and shattering the windows, besides killing and 



374 NOTES OV TllK MIVXICAN WAR. 

woundino; many of the people who were standing in the jila/.a. 
One sliell hurst in the Bishop's house. This alarmed the l^ishop 
so much that he immediately .sent messengers to all the 
churches to stop the ringing of hells, cr)'ing out in a loud 
voice, retoicr istas ca)iipaiia (stop the hells). 

It is astonishing to see the large numher of C'atholic prii-sts 
in ex'ery little town we pass, and I said to m\'scif. No wonder 
the poor class are so, for it is the poor ignorant class of people 
of this country that has to keep uj) these great professed n.'li- 
gious ^<?r/.s", and it is so in every country where the religious 
gods rule. The j)eople are kept down and their liberties crushed 
— kept in ignorance and slavery all the days of their lives ; 
yet these professed religious pet)ple call us \'ankees hea- 
thens and worshippers of the devil. Oh, when will these igno- 
rant people open their eyes and hreak loose from the iron 
rule? Look at South America's blood-stained record of tin- 
past and the massacre of St. l^artholomew ! Thousands of 
innocent lives have been lost, ami thousands will yet he added 
before the people will rise and banish their oppressors, and 
trample their iron yoke and bigoted government in the dust. 

We are now under orders to march hack to Vera Cruz to 
escort a train to that city, after which we will countermarch, 
and no doubt go on to the city of Mexico. So, you need 
not look for a letter from me until I arrive in that ancient cap- 
,itak No more. Write soon. Your Friend, 

J. J. O. 

Three Locks above Lewistowu^ Pa. 

Monday, October 25, 1H47. — This morning, ah(nit eight 
o'clock, the drums commenced to heat, which is the signal for 
us soldiers to form into line for marching. We formed in front 
of our old quarters, Quartel. TIere we stood antl talked until 
10 o'clock, A. M., when orders were given by Lieut. -Col. Black 
to march. We then left and bade good-bye to Puel^la. We 
are accompanied by Capt. Taylor, Third Light Artillery liat- 
tery and a company of Georgia Dragoons, under the command 



NOTKS OF THE MEXICAN WAR. '/.lo 

of Capt, Ix>yall. Gov. Childs and some of his staff accompanied 
us to the suburbs of the city and then stopped and bade us 
good-bye. At this moment vie stopped and gave him, Gov. 
Childs, three rousing cheers^ which made the hills hack of 
Puebla echo. The Governor acknowledged the corn with a 
smile, taking off his cap, and again said " gfxjd-hye, my bra\'e 
men ; I r^gr^A that I cannot go dovi n with you." Here he was 
again loudly cheered vijth the utmost enthusiasm, waving our old 
torn banners, and throviing our caps and straw hats in the air, 
I never saw men in so enthusiastic humor. He aj>i>eared to be 
much pleased with the reception and apjilause of the men he 
once so well commanded. 

We then marched on until we arrived at Amozoquco. Here 
we encamped for the night. Gen. I^ane and the cavalry who 
accom{>anied us to this town returned to Puebla. 

On our march to-day one of our officers was thrown from 
his horse, the horse making his way to Puebla. One of our 
Mexican lancers, belonging to the spy company, who happened 
to be with us, gave chase and captured him with his lasso, and 
had him turned over to the owner. 

To-night one of our men got his throat cut from ear to ear. 

Tuesday^ October 26, 1847. — This morning we left Amozo- 
quco, and marched by comj.)any all the way through the pass, 
in sand up to our ankles. 

At 10 o'clock we halted at a small villeta (boroughj r\2sn&A 
Iturbide, this side of the noted pass, lil Pined. Here we learned 
from the Mexicans, that our gallant friend, Gen. Santa Anna, was 
at the Pass with two thousand tuxjps ; we of course were not 
much alarmed ab<^.»ut the two thousand Mexicans, no we 
moved cautiously through the Pass, without seeing anything 
of the enemy. We kept marching on until we arrived at the 
liacienda San ^bar Tola, here we halted for a short time and 
received a treat from Col. Black, after which we agreed to 
march on. Passed two small towns, and went into camp at 
Napaiuco. Our company liad the luck to get into a small 
church. 



376 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Wednesday, October 27, 1847. — This morning we left Napa- 
luco at daylight, and took the back or ciego riita (blind road, 
so-called), and marched on until we came to the hacienda San 
de Esora, where we dug up the remains of Capt. Samuel H. 
Walker, who was killed at the battle of Huamantla, near this 
spot. He was wrapped up in fine linen and placed in a neat 
coffin which we brought with us from Puebla, and then placed 
into a wagon and brought him with us to Vera Cruz, from 
thereto be shipped to Baltimore, Maryland, his native home. 

When the officer took the measurement of Capt. Walker's 
body when first buried, he took it too small, and the carpenter 
made a botch of it ; whereupon, Lieut. Clinton, of Co. H, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, off with his 
uniform coat, rolled up his sleeves and went to work and 
made him, Capt. Walker, a coffin himself Lieut. Clinton is a 
carpenter, and I am informed hails from Southwark, Philadel- 
phia, Pa. Lieut. Breeze, of the same company, who is a 
blacksmith, entered a smithy and made nails for the coffin, and 
in about a half hour, the whole coffin was completed, and 
well finished. So much for Philadelphia's mechanics and Penn- 
sylvania's volunteers. 

We then started and passed a small town named Hiiape 
Escla, where we laid in a fresh supply of water, after which 
we again started, and went into camp at a villa of considerable 
size named Ve Raiguas. 

On our march to-day, we saw some two hundred guerillas 
way^off to our left, at a small town, but they kept their dis- 
tance, and we did not trouble them. 

Capt. Small and one of our men named Joseph Funston, 
had words about riding in the company's wagon ; it seems 
from what I can learn, that private Funston rode in the wagon 
most all the way down, and kept those who were really sick 
from riding, whereupon, Gapt. Small remonstrated against it, 
and told Funston to get out of the wagon and let those who 
were sick ride, as he, Funston, was as able to walk as any 
man in his compaay ; at this, Funston called Capt. Small a 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 877 

liar and struck at the Captain, at this Capt. Small drew his 
sword and cut Funston in the head, so Mr. Funston rode in 
the wagon afterwards as a ivounded soldier. 

Thursday, October 28, 1847. — This morning we left camp and 
passed over a level plain, and chased up a rabbit about the size 
of a young fawn. We arrived at the Villa Tcpcgahaulco, and 
rested for one hour, after which we started and passed around 
Mount Pizzarros and went into camp at San Martin's barracks. 
Before we arrived in camp we encountered a drove of piicrco 
(hogs), and all hands made a regular charge on them and cap- 
tured several. So we were not in want of any fresco vivera 
(fresh pork). 

After the whole division arrived in camp. Col. Wynkoop, 
accompanied by Col. Dominguez's spy company, left for Perote 
Castle, which is about nine miles from San Martin. After we 
arrived in camp, I missed my knapsack, which, with the rest of 
our company's baggage, was placed in a wagon this morning, and 
saved us from carrying it. It was either stolen or taken in a 
mistake, as there was one left with nothing in except an old 
Mexican blanket. I assure you I was quite put out in not 
getting my knapsack, for I would not have lost it for any 
money. Its contents were a splendid Mexican woolen blan- 
ket, bullets, balls and other curiosities too numerous to men- 
tion, relics — mostly all captured at Vera Cruz, battle of Cerro 
Gordo and siege of Puebla. This is what I call a great loss 
to me. Besides, I lost my very cover and pillow. I had in- 
tended, when arriving at Vera Cruz, to send these valuable 
articles home, but the saltcador (thief) had cheated me out 
of it. 

The San Martin barracks are capable of holding from twenty- 
five hundred to three thousand soldiers, and are a regular mili- 
tary station for troops in time of peace. There is plenty of 
good water drained from the mountains. 

To-night it rained, but we were all under cover. 

Friday, October 29, 1847. — Tliis morning we left the barracks 
in the rain. It llovera (rained) powerfully all the time on our 



378 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

march ; the road was knee-deep with mud and water. After a 
very disagreeable march we arrived at our old quarters, Castle 
of Perote. The four companies belonging to our regiment, 
and who were stationed here, were taken to the Castle, and the 
other six companies took quarters in the town of Perote — 
the same quarters where Capt. Walker's company used to 
quarter their horses. It having rained hard all day, we were 
of course wet through and through, and had no chance to dry 
our clothing. It of course requires no further comciito ''com- 
ment) but to say that we passed a very uncomfortable night ; 
otherwise, everything passed off quietly. 

On our march to-day the scenery, under favorable weather, 
would, perhaps, be somewhat attractive, but a stormy, cloudy 
sky and a drizzling cold rain made it almost unattractive and 
unbearable. 

Saturday, Octobei' 30, 1847. — This morning we got up very 
stiff with rheumatism and cold. 

At noon a British courier came in the town of Perote, and 
reported that there is a large train on the National road, from 
the city of Mexico, under the command of Maj.-Gen. John 
A. Quitman. 

In the afternoon I paid a visit to the Castle Perote, where I 
had spent many a weary hour, and here is (as a writer said), 
where I often thought of the home I had left behind me; here 
is where I arose from my bivouac many a morning, the moon 
sometimes tapering like a ball of fire, and shining with dim 
and baleful light, it sometimes seemed to be struggling down- 
wards through the thick banks of smoky vapor that overhung 
and curtained the high ridges of mountains to the north-west 
of us ; here is where I saw many a poor and gallant soldier 
die, and being wrapped up in his sabandigo nianta (vermin 
blanket), was carried or hauled out and thrown into a hole 
dug for that purpose. These scenes I will not soon forget. 

I was very much astonished to see the number of soldiers 
getting their discharges, some men too, who looked better in 
health and much stouter than when they left their native 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 379 

homes; and again, the men who were really sick and not able 
to do any kind of duty, were refused their discharges. So 
there must be some red tape about ; there were three of our 
company got their discharges, they were really sick and have 
been since we last left Jalapa City, they looked pleased on ac- 
count of getting their discharges, as well as an early prospect 
of getting home. 

In the evening I returned to the town of Perote, and at six 
o'clock, we received orders to march in the morning. 

Sunday, October 31, 1847. — This morning we left the town 
of Perote, and on our march we passed a small town named 
Cruze Blanco. The town was entirely deserted, not a single 
soul could be seen. Went into camp at Las Vegas, this was 
also deserted, and one half of it was burned down during the 
guerilla fight which took place on the 20th of June. We 
supposed that the Mexicans retreated down to the La Hoya 
Pass, there to try and stop our advance, so of course we all 
prepared for a fight, to-day's march our advance-guard took 
two lancers prisoners. 

To-night one of our picket-guards shot a Mexican while in 
the act of crawling through the fence, not more than twenty- 
five yards from our guard, trying to kill our picket, but our 
fellow was too soon for him, and put him (the Mexican) out 
of the way first. 

Monday, November i, 1847. — This morning we found the 
Mexican who attempted to shoot our sentinel, a dead cock in 
the pit ; we let him lie where he ingloriously fell in attempting 
to kill a Yankee. 

About 7 o'clock, we left Las Vegas and soon entered 
the Pass of La Hoya, here we all expected a fandango. The 
fog was so heavy that we could not see fifty feet in advance. 
We went through the Pass without a shot being fired either 
from us or from the enemy. We marched on until we came 
to a small town at the foot of the Pass, here we halted and 
refreshed ourselves and then left, we arrived at the city of 
Jalapa about 3 o'clock, p. m. 



380 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

We came upon the citizens quite unexpectedly, they did 
not know that there were any Yankee troops coming. 

This being All Saint's Day, and a great day among the 
priests, hooded monks and the Mexicans generally, the streets 
were full of rcgatonear (huckster) stalls, and most anything 
could be had in the shape of sweet-meats and confectionery. 

We took up our quarters in the National armory, but did not 
remain long here on account of its being alive with pulga,%o 
we vamosed out of that armory in double-quick time, we pre- 
ferred sleeping out in the lliivia (rain), without shelter; I had 
a good place, sleeping under a balcony, but the rest of my 
fellow soldiers passed a disagreeable night. 

To-night several of the drunken Mexicans, who no doubt 
got drunk at the All Saint's Day Festival, stumbled over my 
feet, (myself lying on the stone pavement), woke me up, and 
I was going for one of them when he turned back and apolo- 
gized, saying muchabuns Americanos. 

Tuesday, November 2, 1847. — This morning I got up stiff 
and sore with rheumatism, all owing to those cursed fleas 
which drove us out from under shelter and made us sleep out 
on the cold ground and in the damp air. 

At 8 o'clock, A. M., we left the city, and for several miles 
the road was perfumed by the sweet scents of the narunjas 
(orange) groves, and I can assure you, the soldiers were no 
ways backward in helping themselves to the delicious fruit. 

At noon we halted at Gen. Santa Anna's summer residence, 
hacienda El Encero. The last time we were here was when 
our army was on a chase of Gen. Santa Anna from the battle 
of Cerro Gordo, the i8th of April last. The hacienda (an 
estate of wealth), is now unoccupied and nearly gone to wreck. 
This seems hard, when a man like Santa Anna buys an estate 
and then cannot live on it without these infernal Yankees all 
the time hunting him up like so many wolves. 

Wednesday, November 3, 1847. — This morning we left El 
Encero, and passed through the historic Pass, Cerro Gordo, 
which means (greasy or oily hill). I know it was well greased 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 381 

on the i8tli of April last. We found several pieces of artil- 
lery, sword and two spiked cannons, also plenty of cannon- 
balls and broken muskets, all belonging to the Mexican army, 
before the battle of Cerro Gordo was fought. When we came 
to the breastworks across the National road, we halted and 
viewed the battle-ground where many a noble and gallant 
soldier (on both sides) fell on the i8th of April, 1847. 

At 4 o'clock, p. M., we arrived at our old camp-ground, 
Plan del Rio, here in this camp, on the 17th of April, I, like 
all my fellow comrades laid myself cautiously down with my 
weary head upon my knapsack and my musket by my side, 
before the battle of Cerro Gordo was fought, and the ex- 
citement of that evening is yet fresh in my memory. I noticed 
that the Mexicans have blown up the vouistola (beautiful) 
cemented bridge crossing the Plan del Rio. This was done 
by the guerillas to stop Gen. George Cadwalader's division 
(when on his way to the capital), but all to no good. Gen. 
Cadwalader planted a piece of artillery on top of a hill, and 
soon drove them away, and then cut a road around the slope 
of the river. 

In the evening Cols. Wynkoop and Dominguez's spy com- 
pany went on to the Puenta Nacional (National bridge) after 
some provisions for our regiment as our men were tired, 
hungry and low spirited on account of having had only half 
enough to eat. 

Thursday, November 4, 1847. — This morning at 3 o'clock 
the sick and discharged soldiers left for Vera Cruz, and there 
to ship for their sweet homes, there are about two hundred of 
them. 

There seems to be a good deal of dissatisfaction among our 
men, and some are making a big fuss about Col. Wynkoop 
going off and leaving no provisions for us. 

In the evening some of our soldiers held a council of war, 
to determine what was to be done, whether to go on to the 
National bridge or go back to Jalapa, they decided unani- 
mously in favor of the National bridge ; after which, they 



382 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

went in swimming in the River of the Plains to cool off, the 
sun being excessively hot all day. After this performance 
was over, we all laid ourselves down to sleep. Everything is 
quiet, no life except in the little oasis occupied by our camp. 
There is no noise or voice of animals, no hum of insects 
to disturb our quarters as is the general case at most all the 
other places of encampment on our travels. 

To-night no sign yet of Col. Wynkoop with his provisions 
he promised to bring us. 

Friday, November 5, 1847. — This morning we were deter- 
mined to march on to the National bridge to get something to 
eat, so about eight o'clock, when we were about to start, 
some of Col. Jack Hays' men came in camp saying that 
Gen. Patterson was coming with a large train and thirty-five 
hundred troops ; so most of our men stationed themselves 
along the road to give the old Cerro Gordo veteran a 
reception. 

The General soon arrived, when our men gave him three 
hearty cheers, the General uncovered and said : " My brave 
and gallant soldiers, I am extremely happy and glad to see 
what is left of you, and feel happy that we are once more to- 
gether ; and I hope we may not be parted again until the ter- 
mination of this war." Cheers. 

Next came Col. Jack Hays with five companies of mounted 
Texan rangers, and we gave him three good cheers ; they are 
a fine body of men and well mounted, with six-shooting rifles. 

About 5 o'clock this evening, we left camp to make room 
for Gen. Patterson's division and train ; we marched on until 
1 1 o'clock to-night, and went into camp at a hacienda 
named Corl Fiasco, about three miles from Gen. Santa Anna's 
residence. Here was a great time, midnight, and we could 
not find a drop of water to make a cup of coffee, or anything 
else. There was much dissatisfaction among the men, plenty 
of rations but no water. 

Saturday, November 6, 1847. — This morning, at 8 o'clock, 
we left camp and arrived at P'.ncero ; here we halted and Co. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 383 

K, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was detailed to 
kill beef and bring it to Jalapa City, after which we left and 
arrived at Jalapa in the afternoon. In fact, before we got to 
the city the boys broke ranks and all rushed for the orange 
groves along the road. 

This evening, at 8 o'clock, the beef party came in to our 
quarters, bringing plenty of the finest and fattest cattle. 

To-night, one of Co. B, Second Artillery, was stabbed by 
a Mexican. The Alcalda promises to go for the would-be 
assassin in the morning. 

Sunday, November 7, 1847. — This morning is splendid, and 
there is a large and splendid market here. I saw some of the 
best of fruits, the finest pineapples I have ever seen, and the 
best flavored ; price, one picayune, and oranges ten for a claco. 

At noon, the advance came in, which was Col. Jack Hays' 
regiment, or five companies of Texan rangers. The first wagon 
came in at 2 o'clock, p. m, and in the evening the rear was 
not yet in town. This is the largest train that has left Vera 
Cruz for the city of Mexico ; it is accompanied by a Baltimore 
brass battery, commanded by Capt. Lloyd Tilghman. 

Monday, November 8, 1847. — This morning. Gen. Patterson's 
train left the city for the old camp-ground, about three miles 
from the city, where it will remain and rest for the present, 
there not being room enough for all the troops and wagons in 
town, and at noon, we received orders to move from our present 
quarters to the National Guards' armory, which fronts on the 
main plaza, as the church or college is to be occupied by the 
sick and wounded soldiers for a hospital. All day the city 
was one bustle with troops and wagons, which made things look 
like business around the city. The last train from Vera Cruz 
brings the Fifth Ohio regiment, which was out last year under 
Gen. Z. Taylor. They went home, reorganized and came out 
again. I should think they have seen the elephant on the Rio 
Granda (Great river), if not, they will surely see him on Gen. 
Scott's route before they get home again. The fleas must 
have followed the fresh Yankees, just arrived, as the last time 



384 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

we were in this building we were compelled to leave it on 
account of so many fleas. Good-bye, fleas. 

Tuesday, November g, 1847. — This morning, Col. Wynkoop 
was made Governor of Jalapa City ; he immediately issued 
orders for dress parade every evening and roll call, etc. 

To-day the mail was distributed among the lucky ones. I 
received one letter from Henry Strunk. 

In the afternoon, there was a considerable fuss raised in our 
quarters about some horses being taken from the Mexicans. 
The Mexicans wanted to search our quarters for the lost horses, 
but our fellows would not submit to it and soon turned them 
out of our quarters, well satisfied to go without the horses. 

Wednesday , November 10, 1847. — This morning, we received 
clothing from the Quartermaster and all old soldiers got a full 
suit from head to foot. This being the first regular clothing 
we drew since we have been in the United States service, and 
I assure you we all stood much in need thereof It now being 
nearly a year since we were in service, and if it was not for 
the clothing we captur^ from the Mexicans one-half of our 
army would have to go naked. Oh, how good care our Gov- 
ernment is taking of her noble sons, now fighting the bloody 
Mexicans. Every member of the head of our Government, 
from the President down, ought to be made a present of a 
leather )nedal for their faithful performa nee in providing for the 
con fort and zvelfare of her sons. 

At noon, the advance of another train came in town and re- 
ported that it is encamped at Encero. 

To-night, several soldiers came down from Perote Castle 
and reported a large train coming from the city of Mexico. 

Thursday, November 1 1, 1847. — This morning, the train from 
the city of Mexico, on its way to Vera Cruz, passed around 
Jalapa City, on its way to Encero, there to camp for the night. 
In the meanwhile the train from Vera Cruz came into town 
and everything was bustle and confusion in the city; the train 
from Vera Cruz is ordered out to the camp-ground. While the 
train from the city of Mexico was passing around Jalapa, Gen. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 385 

James Shields passed through this city. Our soldiers soon got 
wind of it and all gathered around him and gave him six hearty 
cheers. After which the General said : " Soldiers, the bat- 
talion of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, which 
held Puebla City against a combined force of eight thousand 
troops, commanded by Gen. Santa Anna, has gained the high- 
est pinnacle of fame. Again, had the Second Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers a flag, it would have been the first regiment 
to plant the Stars and Stripes upon the gates of San Casmo or 
Belen." (Cheers, which made the very hills around Jalapa 
City echo.) He again said, " Pennsylvania can be proud 
of her sons in Mexico, fighting for its flag and country. Good- 
bye," and away he went in the midst of the utmost enthu- 
siasm. It will be remembered the General was wounded in 
the arm at the storming of the castle of Chapultepec and still 
carries his arm in a sling. 

Friday, Novcjjiber 12, 1847. — This morning, having nothing 
to do, so friend Kelly, of Co. K, our regiment, and myself con- 
cluded to take a walk out to the orange groves. We went 
there and spent some time, after which we took a walk to a 
hacienda, the country seat of an English manufacturer, named 
Welsh. After spending several hours with him we left. 

In the evening, one of our picket guard shot, I think, one 
of Co. D, First Regiment Pennsylvania V^olunteers, through 
the arm, fracturing it so much that it had to be amputated, 
What cause this man had to interfere with the guard, I am un- 
able to say, but he had no business there. 

Saturday, November 13, 1847.^ — This morning, a guerilla 
cut his throat from ear to ear in the guard-house. He was 
caught by Col. Jack Hays' Texan Rangers, coming up from 
Vera Cruz. He was captured and surrendered at Vera Cruz, 
let go on parole of honor not to fight again during the war. 
He was again captured at the battle of Cerro Gordo, but not 
known to our officers, let go on parole of honor, and again 
captured leading a guerilla band ; but this time he was recog- 
nized by SQxne gf o\4r officers and tried by court-martial, found 
25 



386 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

guilty of all three charges and sentenced to be hung on Tues- 
day next, for violating and breaking his parole of honor ; but 
the guerilla no doubt thought that he would have compassion 
on us Yankees and save us the trouble of erecting a scaffold, 
so he put an end to his miserable life by cutting his throat 
with a knife. This was the first person that I ever saw with 
his throat cut so clear from ear to ear, and I do not wish to 
see another. It was an awful sight to see the big gap open 
and the blood running over the floor. He was soon taken out 
of the guard-house and hauled away and buried in a separate 
lot, and thrown in the grave as he fell in the guard-house. 

In the evening, I noticed the main Plaza all nicely laid off in 
blocks by sand being sprinkled around. I inquired of the 
Superintendent the cause and was informed that it was for the 
buyers to walk on and to let the market people know where to 
let the passage open. 

Sunday, November 14, 1847. — This morning, the market was 
very large and well attended with purchasers, and everything 
was sold reasonable, especially the oranges, twelve to fifteen 
for one claco. 

At noon, Mr. Alburtus Welsh, who has been acting Com- 
missary for our company since Charles A. Jones, who has been 
discharged, resigned the office, and Hosa Snethern, of our com- 
pany, took the position. 

Monday, November 15, 1 847, — -This morning I took a walk 
out to Capt. Lloyd Tilghman's brass battery ; it is the finest 
battery in the service. They were drilling at the time, and 
drilled remarkably well ; and if they are as good in action as 
they drill and look, they will do good service. This battery 
hails from Baltimore City, and is accompanied by the Balti- 
more Battalion. Dress parade every evening. 

Tuesday ^November 16, 1847. — This morning a party of us 
started with a grain-bag to the orange groves. Here we filled 
our bag, and then laid around in the shady grove, after which 
we started back to our quarters weU filled \yith the delicious 
fruit. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 387 

In the evening a party of our men, with guitars, vioHns, and 
accordeons, serenaded Gen. Patterson at his headquarters. He 
came to the front and thanked the party most kindly for their 
kindness. While they were serenading Gen. Patterson, the 
housetops, windows and balconies were all filled with hidalgos 
and vcnustola scnoritas (gentlemen and beautiful ladies). 

Wednesday, November 17, 1847. — This morning the military 
court-martial sat. The first case that was called up was a sol- 
dier named Welsh (not our Welsh), for breaking his musket 
intentionally ; but they could not find him guilty, and he was 
released at once and ordered to join his company. Several 
other cases were called up for disobeying orders and other 
trifling and petty charges, which did not amount to much, so 
the court adjourned for the day. 

Thursday, November 18, 1847. — This morning, the court- 
rnartial sat ^t 10 o'clock, but soon afterwards adjourned on 
accour^t of the absence of witnesses. 

At noon, I took a walk around the suburban grounds of 
Jalapa and foui^d it very beautiful to the eye. The orange, 
Jemon and banaqa trees were heavily laden. I have never 
seen trees so heavily laden as those orange trees. I also noticed 
the so-called turkey buzzards were flying (like at Vera Cruz) 
very boldly through the streets and around our quarters. They 
have red necks and feet, and, strange to say, the only places 
they roost upon are the crosses upon the church towers, and 
the sight of three of these black coats, perched upon either 
arm and on top of these white emblems, forms a novel, if not 
cheerful spectacle. O^e involuntarily thinks of the crucifixion 
^nd the two tJiieyes. 

It is rumored this evening, that Col. George W. Hughes, 
poiTimander of the Second Maryland and District of Colum- 
bia regiment, is appointed Governor of Jalapa City, and is to 
remain l:|ere as the mqin garrison, and that our detachment is 
^oon to rnarch on to the city of Mexico. Good news for us. 

Friday, November 19, 1847. — This morning, the court-martial 
^ftt ar^d triecl t\YO wagon teamsters for killing a poor, innocent 



388 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Mexican boy. The court found them both guilty and 
sentenced them to be hung. Also two Texan Rangers, Hays' 
men, were tried for stealing money and blankets from the Mex- 
icans, after which the court adjourned, and myself and several 
more took a walk out to the old Camp Misery, where we en- 
camped last May. I passed the very spot where we built a 
ranch to sleep under. 

In the evening, I returned to our quarters in this city in time 
for the dress parade, where orders were read to us that there 
would be an inspection to-morrow. 

To-night, Capt. Wm. F. Binder's Co. E, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, held a dancing party and ended in a 
regular fight among themselves. They came clear over to our 
quarters, but we soon made them vamose from our place, as 
we don't approve of such conduct. 

Saturday, November 20, 1847. — This morning, our regiment 
paraded in the Plaza and marched down near the I '^era Cruz- 
oras Hotel, to Gen. Patterson's headquarters, and was reviewed 
by him, and before we were dismissed Col. Geo. W. Hughes, 
U. S. A., who is now Governor of Jalapa City, ordered the fol- 
lowing orders to be read to us : " That whenever a soldier 
meets an officer, to step to one side and give the sidewalk to 
the officer, and to take off their caps, and any soldier refusing 
to comply with these orders shall be arrested, put in the guard- 
house and court-martialed." Alter the parade was dismissed 
we gave three groans for Gov. Hughes. It was not long be- 
fore a petty regular officer came along and meeting several of 
our soldiers, and because these soldiers did not take off their 
caps or step aside, the officer drew his sword and struck the 
men with his sword. At this instant a half dozen mounted 
the officer and gave him a good beating, and had it not been 
for Col. Wynkoop, who happened to be near the scene, ap- 
pealing to the men to forgive the officer and let him go, not 
for his sake but for the sake of old Pennsylvania, the State we 
now represent in this war. So the soldiers let him go, but at 
the same time telling \\\vc\ that if he ever attempts to strike 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 389 

another soldier -he would not get off so easy. But I think he 
will not attempt to knock another soldier down with his sword 
hereafter. Our men have respect for an officer of knowledge, 
but they are down on all those young petty officers who are 
nothing but mere boys, 

Sunday, November 21, 1847. — This morning the military 
court sat, and disposed of some business, after which they 

passed sentence on Col. Juan Clamaco and Capt. (whose 

name I did not get), two guerilla officers. One of them has 
been taken prisoner three times — first, at Vera Cruz surrender; 
second, at the battle of Cerro Gordo ; and third, on a skirmish. 
Each time he was captured he gave his parole of honor not to 
fight or join the Mexican army during the said war, unless 
exchanged. Sentence— Z^tY?///. 

When the citizens of Jalapa heard that these guerilla officers 
were captured, tried and condemned to death, they made a 
big fuss, and threatened what they would do to us Yankees 
when they once got the chance or power over us. We told 
them that they could hang or shoot every one of our officers 
who broke his parole qi honor, without any court-martial. 

The Mexicans expected that the execution was going to 
take place to-day, for I noticed all the stores were closed and 
all kinds of business suspended ; people were standing in 
groups, talking and whispering — no doubt of the execution of 
the two Mexican officers- — and by their loud talking and the 
motioning of their hands, etc., it looks as if they were very 
angry. 

In the evening a delegation of some fifty well-dressed ladies 
waited on Gen. Pattei*son, using all their influence to have 
these Mexican officers' lives spared, and to imprison them until 
the termination of this war ; but Gen. Patterson told these 
ladies that he regretted that it fell to his lot to execute these 
officers, that these officers whom the court had condemned 
had sacrificed their parole of honor three times, and that it 
was the law of all nations at war, that when a soldier sacrifices 
his parole of honor, death is his doom. So these officers, 



390 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

having violated their pledges as officers, will have to suffer the 
penalty of the law, and that is death, and nothing under heaven 
will save them from death. The ladies went away weeping 
and crying like little children. 

Monday, November 22, 1847. — This morning the court-mar- 
tial again sat, and, after transacting some business, passed 
sentence of death on the two American teamsters who, a ioy^ 
days ago, killed a Mexican boy. Their object was robbery ; 
they will be executed to-morrow. The tw^o guerilla officers. 
Col. Juan Clamaco and a Captain, who wouldn't give his name 
— on whom sentence was passed yesterday — are to be exe- 
cuted on Wednesday next. Also passed sentence of death on 
two privates belonging to Col. Geo. W. Hughes' Second Mary- 
land Regiment. Their charge is, sleeping on their picket-post, 
and they are to be shot on Thursday next. This is the most 
severe court-martial that ever sat in Mexico or in any other 
civilized country. The court is now six days in session, and 
in those six days it has condemned to death two Mexican 
officers — which was just — and four American citizens. If this 
kind of court were held in every small division of our army, 
there wouldn't be many left to fight the Mexicans. The sen- 
tence of death of the two Baltimoreans is an outrage. They 
were not allowed the privilege of defending themselves, to 
show their innocence of the crime, and nothing under the sun 
convicted these poor soldiers except that they were privates 
belonging to a volunteer regiment. They were tried by reg- 
ular officers, who, we all know, hold perjuicio (prejudice) 
against the volunteers. Also sentenced one of our men, 
named Jame.s, B. Wilson, who, while intoxicated, took a pair 
of socks, worth fifteen cents, out of a barrel. He was tried, 
found guilty and sentenced to be taken to the castle of San 
Juan de Ulloa in irons, and there kept at hard labor, forfeit all 
his pay, have his head shaved and remain confined until the 
termination of the present war, and then receive a dishon- 
orable discharge from the service. Who ever heard of such 
a heavy sentence for fifteen cents ? It is one of the most 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 391 

outrageous sentences that has ever been heard of in any 
civiHzed country. It made our Captain Small and the men 
swear like troopers, saying that they will not give him up. 

This evening Capt. Small promised us that he would use 
his utmost efforts to have J. B. Wilson, of our company, re- 
leased before he leaves us. 

Tuesday^ November' 23, 1847. — This morning, as soon as we 
got up, the whole conversation and talk was about the severe 
sentence of our comrade James B. Wilson, and the punish- 
ment for such a trifling thing as a pair of socks ; had it been 
some of our thieving Quartermasters who are robbing us 
poor soldiers out of our rations every day by the thousands, 
or some petty regular officer, there would not have been any- 
thing said or done about it. I can hear a niormidlo (murmur- 
ing) voice from some of the Baltimoreans, that some of those 
very officers who sat on that military court-martial, will be 
put out of the way the first chance. 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., orders were read to us, stating that we 
would march back to the Castle Perote, to-morrow morning, 
and to have two days' rations with us. 

At noon we were ordered out for guard duty, during the 
execution of the two teamsters; in fact, nearly all the military 
in and around Jalapa City were ordered out for guard, and to 
be in readiness in case wanted. 

Our regiment formed in a circle around the scaffold; here 
we waited for about ten minutes, when the ambulance wagon 
containing the two condemned prisoners arrived, guarded on 
each side by Col. Irwin's Second Ohio Regiment ; we opened 
column, and then let the ambulance wagon pass in near the 
scaffold ; after which, we again closed column. The prisoners 
jumped off the wagon, walking with steady step up to the 
scaffold, looking to neither side. The priest followed them 
on the scaffold, and after some little talking, praying and kiss- 
ing of the crucifix, the cap was drawn over their faces. 

All left the platform except the two prisoners, who were 
shaking and trembling like a leaf 



392 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The rope attached to the trap was pulled at 12.30 
o'clock, when the two men swung off in the air, in the 
midst of the tolling of church bells, in the neighborhood. 

While the prisoners were ascending the scaffold, the band 
played the Marseilles hymn. One died without a struggle, 
while the other, Mr. Meecks, suffered very much, strangling 
and struggling for some time. 

Mr. Meecks hailed from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; the 
other one was a foreigner, he wouldn't give his name. 

After hanging for nearly half an hour, they were pro- 
nounced dead, and lowered. During this time, some of the 
Ohio men talked pretty loud, saying that it was an outrage 
to hang these men. 

After they were lowered, the military moved on past the 
scaffold. The music not playing until we had passed the 
scaffold ; we then marched to our quarters, where we were 
dismissed for the balance of the day. 

I noticed that the Mexicans who witnessed the execution, 
watched every movement of the prisoners. The Mexicans 
shoot their prisoners in place of hanging. 

Wednesday, November 24, 1847. — This morning, according 
to the orders read to us yesterday, we were formed in the 
plaza ready to start on our march, but orders came from Col. 
Hughes, not to leave until the two Mexican officers (convicted 
the other day) are executed. 

About 9 o'clock, A. M., the ambulance wagon containing 
the two guerilla officers made its appearance near the scaffold. 
The wagon stopped at the front of the gallows, the same on 
which the teamsters were executed yesterday. There were a 
great crowd of Mexicans gathered around the prisoners to bid 
them good-bye. 

Among them I noticed an aged mother and a sister of Col. 
Juan Clamaco ; they of course wrung their hands, wept and 
took it very hard. They were told that the time of execution 
had arrived, and that the friends should take leave. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 393 

After shaking hands and kissing one another, they walked 
straight forward and mounted the scaffold, accompanied by the 
priest, and after going through the Catholic ceremonies, the 
priest left them. The trap door was let go, and then the two 
Mexican officers who had three times broken their parole of 
honor, swung off in the air, in the midst of shrill cries and 
shock among the Mexicans. 

All the church bells throughout the city were tolling while 
they were hanging; both died very hard, and hung fully half 
an hour before they were pronounced dead. After which they 
were lowered, and I believe, handed over to their friends for 
burial. 

During the execution, some of the Mexicans in the back 
ground could be seen cursing and swearing. 

After the excitement was all over we were ordered to march 
back to our quarters and stack arms, after which we marched 
with our side-arms down to Capt. Small's quarters to bid him 
good-bye, as he is going home to take his seat in the Senate 
of Pennsylvania, to which office he was elected last October. 
Sergeant Zeigle was the spokesman. After going over the 
career of Capt. Small's brilliant achievements as an officer and 
soldier, he wished him a safe return to the State and the 
bosom of his family, which he left nearly two years ago. 
Capt. Small responded in his usual happy style with very 
appropriate remarks, regretting that he had to leave us, as he 
would love to be with us on our march to the capital of Mex- 
ico, and wound up by saying that he had succeeded in getting 
James B. Wilson, of our company, clear of his sentence, and 
that he will march with us to-day to the city of Mexico. This 
announcement caused a great deal of joy amongst our com- 
pany, and three rousing cheers were then given for Capt. 
Small, for the liberation of our comrade James B. Wilson. 
After this we all shook hands with the Captain and bid him 
good-bye and a safe journey to his family. We then returned 
to where we had stacked our muskets, when orders were given 
to take arms, shoulder arms, right face, forward march, and 



394 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

we left the city of Jalapa, glad that we Pennsylvanians would 
have nothing to do in the shooting of the two Baltimoreans 
who are sentenced to be shot to-day at noon. 

We are now under the command of our First Lieut. Aquilla 
Haines, a competent and clever officer. We marched on until 
we came to La Hoya where we stacked arms and camped for 
the night. The day was pleasant ; the woods resounded with 
the songs of the birds, the air balmy, and light fleecy clouds 
floating over our heads. For our supper we had pollito, we 
captured on our march. To-night it is blowing colder. 

Thursday, Novcinbcj- 25, 1847. — This morning we were all 
astonished to see nievc and yelo, snow and ice, on the ground, 
which made the air cold and very uncomfortable. We hur- 
ried and got on our march ; our company was detailed as the 
rear guard. This day's march was the worst we had for some 
time ; snowing, raining, and sometimes hailing, nearly all day. 
Lodo, iodo, (mud, mud). All the way over one-half of our 
wagons stuck in the mud up to the hubs, stalled, and such an- 
other way of lashing the poor mules and swearing I never 
heard before. We marched on and passed Las Vegas and ar- 
rived at Cruz Blanco at 5 o'clock, p. m. Here a squad of us 
captured a deserted ranche, made a fire, cooked our coffee and 
dried our clothing, and waited until dark for the wagons which 
were left back, sticking in the lodo ; but none of the wagons 
made their appearance. So we were obliged to stop here and 
sleep on the bare ground without our blankets, as they are in 
the wagons, but we were fortunate to have shelter ; yet the smell 
and the moist atmosphere was most too efflu viable and powerful 
for any but accustomed noses. The rats scampered here and 
there over our feet, and the fleas and other creeping tilings 
held a circus all night in the other end of the room. To-night 
it is very dark, raining and chilly. 

Friday, Nov onbcr 26, 1847. — This morning we got up early; 
good reason why — couldn't sleep or rest for the infernal rats, 
who held a perpetual circus. We gathered around our camp- 
fires, warmed ourselves and dried our clothing, also learned 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 395 

that one of our teamsters was frozen to death last night. Gen. 
Patterson now came riding by, saying, " Good morning, men ; 
I suppose you all feel cold. We answered, " Yes, sir; and 
hungry, too " [Laughter], and he passed on, after which a 
inula, loaded with bananas, came along. We captured the 
fruit and divided it among the men. after which we left camp 
for Perote, saying, " We will not starve as long as we can get 
anything to eat." 

W^e arrived in camp about 2 o'clock, p. m., and took up our 
quarters in the town of Perote, much fatigued, tired out and 
hungry, yet feeling rejoiced that we arrived safely. 

In the evening the trains began to come in slowly, and some 
of the teamsters tell us that this has been one of the hardest 
and worst marches that they ever experienced in all Mexico, 
and there are some of these teamsters who have been driving 
for Uncle Sam through the Florida and Texan wars. Met 
with no accident except the frozen man. 

History tells us that Friday is a regular red-letter day. Its 
calendars mark great events all along the centuries of Ameri- 
can history. Columbus first set sail from Europe on Friday, 
first saw land on the continent on Friday, and on his way home 
returned on Friday ; Conqueror Cortez first landed on the 
shores of Mexico on Friday ; it was on Friday that the May- 
flower first reached the shores of New England ; it was on 
Friday that the pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock ; it was on 
Friday, in the cabin of the vessel, that the first written consti- 
tution in our country — the form of our government — was 
signed ; it was on Friday that the battle of Bunker Hill was 
fought ; it was on P^riday that Yorktown surrendered to our 
army; it was on Friday that I was born; it was on Friday that 
I first made up my mind to enlist in the United States army. 
So this Friday is licroic also. 

Saturday, November 27, 1847. — This morning it is very 
cold, the ground has a light coat of snow, and the hills around 
here are covered with a good coat of the same. Mount 
Cofrades has a good share of it, making it very cold and chilly. 



396 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

In the afternoon, Gen. Patterson paid a visit to the Castle of 
Perote, and as he entered the Castle a salute from the different 
batteries in the Castle were fired in honor of his arrival. 

This evening quite a row was kicked up in town at the Plaza 
between our regiment and the Ohio Regiment, about some 
trifling thing, but I believe the Pennsylvania boys gained the 
day and made the Buckeyes back water. It ended by officers 
belonging to both regiments interfering. 

To-night I am informed that the Ohio regiment will have to 
march to-morrow for their disorderly and unsoldier-like con- 
duct. 

Monday, November 28, 1847. — This morning, the brigade 
consisting of the Second Ohio Regiment and regular recruits, 
left Perote under the command of Lieut. Col. Moore and Brig. 
Gen. Caleb Gushing. This was owing to their unruly con- 
duct of yesterday, which was noticed by Gen. Patterson, who 
ordered them to march to-day for Puebla City. When they 
•passed our quarters words passed and some blows were struck, 
and it was with difficulty that our boys could be kept in their 
quarters, keeping them from going for the Buckeyes. 

In the evening, we received orders to march to-morrow 
morning for Puebla. Capt. Herron's Co. K, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, was to be attached to the Massachu- 
setts regiment, but they kicked against it. So Lieut. Col. S. 
W. Black had that part countermanded and brought all things 
to right again. By-the-by, Brig. Gen. Caleb Gushing is the 
most comical looking general I have ever seen, and is made 
fun of by all the soldiers. I hope we will never be attached to 
his brigade. 

Monday, November 29, 1847. — This morning, at 8 o'clock, 
we left Perote and marched about twenty miles, passing several 
large haciendas and went into camp at the town of Tepega- 
hualco. We were placed in the advance of the division and 
marched very fast. This was owing to the brags the Massa- 
chusetts men made, that they could out-march any regiment 
on the road. They were left in the rear for over five miles. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 397 

strun<^ all along the road and did not get into camp until late. 
The best part of the road was very dusty and unpleasant to 
march upon. We can soon tell when we get near to towns, for 
the manguey plants make their first appearance before we 
enter into any town. It is used here as a fence; some of the 
plants are called the organo, and are as straight as an arrow. 

Tuesday, November y^, 1847. — This morning we left Tepe- 
gahualco at daylight, and passed several beautiful villages, 
and over a sandy road and plain. 

The fields are filled with wheat, corn, barley and beans. 
When on our last march these crops were all green, but now 
they are reaped and stacked. We did not stop at the usual 
stopping place, but went on to the second stopping place, 
making two days' marching into one. We went into camp 
about 5 o'clock, p. m., and up to 10 o'clock to-night the 
soldiers are not all in camp yet. 

One of our Dragoons reported that he saw two of our men 
lying along the riita, stripped of all their clothing and with 
their throats cut, no doubt done by the guerillas who are con- 
stantly watching the straggling soldiers, and rush out of the 
chaparral and kill our men. This is all Col. Wynkoop's fault 
he wants to march us through in four days, so as to have 
something to brag about. 

Wednesday, December i, 1847. — This morning we left camp 
early, and actually the men could hardly keep up they were so 
stiff from marching. We passed several large haciendas, and 
went into camp about 3 o'clock, p. m., at El Pinol. 

We had intended to go through the Pass, but the Massa- 
chusetts and the other new regiments lagged so far behind, 
that we were obliged to stop here for the night. 

This evening about 6 o'clock, word came to our camp, 
that the guerillas were killing our stragglers (soldiers), back at 
the town, so Col. Wynkoop ordered a company of Col. Jack 
Hays' mounted rangers to go in pursuit of them, with instruc- 
tions, that if they caught any of the guerillas, to show them 
no quarter. 



398 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Off they started and about lo o'clock to-night, they re- 
turned bringing in two of the guerillas as suspicious ; they 
shot two. This is one of the seven wonders, that the Texan 
rangers brought the guerillas in as prisoners, for they gener- 
ally shoot them on the spot where captured. But being cap- 
tured without arms and on suspicion only, saved the Mexicans 
from death. They also brought in two of our men, (Massa- 
chusetts), tied on a mule, with their throats cut. 

This ought to be a warning to all soldiers not to lag behind 
but keep up with the army. But it seems the men are entirely 
worn out and unable to march any distance, and thus they lay 
themselves down by the wayside and go to sleep, and the first 
thing, a guerilla comes out of a chaparral close by and cuts 
the soldier's throat while sleeping. 

Thursday, December 2, 1847. — This morning we left camp 
ancl went through the El Pinol Pass without seeing a agrasiento 
(greaser), or having a shot fired at us while going through. 
* We went into camp at Amozoquco, and as we were going 
into town, one man named McCage, attached to our company, 
received a shot in his arm. At this, a party armed themselves 
and went in pursuit of the cowardly greasers ; they set fire to 
several ranches in the vicinity where the shots came from, and 
in fooling around, they started up several lancers, and fired 
several shots at them, but without effect, they flying to the 
mountains. 

Our men broke open a suspicious looking building, and 
found that is was an artinery school, having in it several pieces 
of light artillery, a small mortar and a few muskets. 

Friday^ December 3, 1847. — This morning we left the town 
of Amozoquco. We saw several guerillas going over toward 
the mountains, but we did not think it worth while going after 
them. 

We arrived at Puebla about noon, and for sev^eral miles out 
we were met by members of our regiment who were left here, 
they being too unwell to go on a big march ; also a great 
many of our Mexican acquaintances coming out to welcome 
us back. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 399 

At Puebla we took up our quarters, about two squares from 
Quartel San Jose, our former headquarters, on the street lead- 
ing to the main plaza. 

When we arrived there, Col. Thomas Childs came to meet 
us, and was received with a tremendous cheering from those 
half starved Yankees whom he commanded during the long 
siege of Puebla, the men crying out "We know no surrender!" 

Col. Childs took off his cap, bowed and said, " That the 
cheers and shouts just given, put him in mind of the many 
hurrahs during the siege, and particularly more so, when Gen. 
Santa Anna, with about eight thousand troops, appeared at 
the outside of the city, demanding of him, Col. Childs, to sur- 
render up his three hundred soldiers, to his Excellency, Gen. 
Santa Anna. I sent word back ' No, never will I surrender 
my little band of brave men, we will fight it out until the last 
man falls. ' " Cheers. 

" You will also remember when myself and your Lieut. Col. 
Black went from one station to another announcing Gen. Santa 
Anna's request to surrender, and your reply was, ' No, no, never 
will we surrender,'" with cheers and hurrah, which made the 
volcanic hills shake. " Again let me tell you, Pennsylvanians, 
that I will never, the longest day of my life, forget the heroic 
conduct and patriotism you have showed during the siege 
of Puebla." He, then, with a wave of his cap, left in the 
midst of cheering and clapping of hands. During this little 
excitement and speech, most all the new troops and Mexicans 
gathered silently around Col. Childs and listened with deep 
interest to his remarks and mingled their cheers with ours, 
and at the same time commenced asking many questions about 
the siege of Puebla, and how it was that we could hold out 
so long and repulse Gen. Santa Anna's eight thousand troops. 
We answered, that it was the confidence we had in our officers, 
and a determination on our part never to yield an inch, and 
to hold out till the last man drops. 

It will be remembered that when we were first placed under 
the command of Col. Childs, he was not liked by our men. 



400 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Col. Childs is a regular officer and a great disciplinarian. This 
is enough to make any officer unpopular among the volun- 
teers. The hair-cutting order made him very unpopular among 
the volunteers, but we soon got over that, and to-day he is one 
of the most popular officers now in our army. 

In the evening we received orders from Gen. Patterson that 
we will continue on our march to-morrow for the city of Mex- 
ico, but I fear that I will not be able to go along on account 
of blistered feet and a bad cold contracted on our last march. 
So I suppose I will be handed over to the tender mercy of the 
diarrlicea blues until the arrival of the next coming train from 
Vera Cruz, which is now on its way up. Later, my friend 
Alburtus Welsh came to see me, and stated that he will not be 
able to march to-morrow, so I will have company. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Compelled to stay in puebla — the catholic religion — 
what it used to cost to sustain it — arrival of gen. 

WM. O. butler's train FROM VERA CRUZ — LEFT PUEBLA 

ARRIVED AT RIO FRIO THE DEEP CUT TO DRAIN THE CITY 

OF MEXICO — EL PENON PASS ARRIVED IN THE CITY SAW 

ENOUGH OF GREASERS TO DRIVE OUR ARMY OUT OF THE 

COUNTRY CAMPED AT SAN ANGEL A CHRISTMAS IN THE 

CITY SCANDALOUS ACTION OF THE SECULAR CLERGY IN 

MEXICO MEXICO CITY, THE METROPOLIC CAPITAL OF MEXICO. 

Saturday, December 4, 1 847. — The train did not get off until 
noon ; it is composed of the First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, Massachusetts and Ohio regiments. Col. John 
Coffee Hays, with five companies of mounted Rangers, and Maj. 
Lally, with fifteen hundred regular recruits, assigned to different 
regiments at the capital. There were four of our company 
left back on account of sore and blistered feet and colds, which 
we contracted on our last march. Your humble servant is one 
of the four. After the division had left the city of Puebla, 
we were puzzled to know what we had to do and where to go. 
We did not want to attach ourselves to any company here, 
fearing that we could not get off so easy when the next train 
comes up, which \ye intend to follow to the capital and again 
join our companies. 

So four of us made up a mess, hunted and rented a room, 
promising to pay seventy-five cents per week for the same, 
ancj l^id in some rations, but how long we will be able to stay 
here without being found out by the officers, time will tell ; 
but I hope they will let us rest a few days anyhow. 

In the evening, I went to the hospital to see how our friend 

John B. Herron, who was wounded during the siege of Puebla, 

was getting alqng, and to my surprise I was informed that he 

cjigd of hisf wourjds on the 25th of November last. Mr. Herron 

2ti (401) 



402 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

was a well educated man, and when he first started out 
with our company he expected something better than a mere 
private. He expected to be either Quartermaster or Sergt. 
Major of our regiment, but Capt. Small, being defeated for the 
Colonelcy of our regiment, his plans and hopes were dashed. 
He was very much of a gentleman in all his ways and man- 
ners, and was also a good soldier. He prophecied previous to 
his going on picket- guard, that he would be shot that day. 
His prophecy proved too true. 

Sunday, December 5th, 1847. — This morning, after break- 
fast, we were busy in arranging our room, so as to make every- 
thing look neat and comfortable. My feet are very sore and I 
am compelled to stay in our room, and am passing my time in 
writing, and examining ancient histories of Mexico. To-day 
I have written several letters to my parents and friends so as 
to have them ready to send home by the next train. This^ 
being Sunday, I went to the Cathedral, which is close by, and 
it was surprising to see the numerous clergy or Catholic priests 
and monks in this city ; and it is true, as a writer said : 

" Catholicism has found a virgin field in America where it had 
luxuriated and spread its dogmas. The religious force which had 
concentrated itself in the old world burst over the virgin wilds 
of the new world like a pestilence. The fanatical monk pene- 
trated with the crucifix into the midst of the most savage 
tribes, while swords, fire and massacre were the true instru- 
ments used in the propagation of the faith, and made more 
converts than the Bible, whose blessed teachings the poor In- 
dians received at the point of the spear and sabre." It has 
always been said and very truly, that the sword holds mighty 
arguments, and as Mahornmedan and Christian have proven, 
makes more converts than tongue or pen. 

In touching the result^ of the establishment of Catholic 
power in the new world, I am not attacking the high moral 
teachings of the Church of Rome, but the perversion of its 
religion when in the hands of bad men, and its wonderful ca- 
pacity for such perversiop. I know that the Catholic religion 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 403 

was born of the moral wants of the Mediterranean nations, 
who, completely sunk in immorality, were ready to seize upon 
any faith which could lift them from the degradation into 
which the crimes and lust of the Roman Empire had sunk 
them; but like any other great monopoly of the human mind 
in a single direction, it soon becomes perverted and deems no 
measure too atrocious to obtain proselytes. 

In tracing the causes of the numberless revolutions of Mex- 
ico and the Spanish American States, we shall find that every 
phase of their history, and especially in Mexico, the Catholic 
clergy, have been the great vital principal which has occa- 
sioned the chronic revolutionary condition of the country. 

To form an idea of their power, it is necessary to glance at 
the immense influence which they exercised in colonial affairs, 
and the vast accumulation of wealth, which, by every art that 
avarice could suggest, they wrung from the Spaniards and 
poor native Indians. 

There were, in 1827, one hundred and fifty convents, be- 
sides innumerable parochial churches. The clergy collected 
by the exaction of tithes, one-tenth of the whole products of 
the country, notwithstanding the tithe system was abolished 
in 1833, by the Mexican Government. Many of the devoted 
adherents of the Catholic church still submit to it. 

It costs Mexico yearly to sustain her clergy ^8,000,000 ; 
while the estimated value of church property is from 
^250,000,000 to ^300,000,000, about one-third of the valua- 
tion of the whole country. There are ;^40,ooo,ooo alone of 
mortgages on the agricultural districts around this city of 
Puebla, that support the religious institutions of the city, which, 
as I stated before, is still known as the most intensely Catholic 
of all Mexican cities ii) this country. 

In the afternoon we received a requisition from Capt. Her- 
ron, of our regiment, (who, like ourselves, was left here being 
too much fatigued to go any further,) on the Commissary, to 
draw rations, and us four drew nearly as much as our whole 
company ^onrjetirr^es djd. 



404 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

To-night having plenty of candles, we devoted our time to 
writing letters and straightening up our notes of our cam- 
paign. All quiet, nobody asking us who we are or where we 
belong, and of course we are not fools enough to tell them. 

PuEBLA City, \ 
December 5, 1847. j 

Dear Brother Frederick :— I again embrace the favor- 
able opportunity of writing to you a few lines, to let you know 
that I am still living and well, and I hope that this letter may 
find you and all my inquiring friends enjoying the same state 
of health. You will remember, in my last letter to you, I 
stated that Gen. Lane had arrived at Puebia, and raised the 
siege of Puebia. After twelve days' rest, our regiment was 
ordered to escort a train to Vera Cruz. On our way back we 
stopped at Jalapa, here we remained for two weeks, and were 
nearly eaten up by the infernal fleas and other creeping things. 
Left Jalapa and marched for Perote Castle. This march was 
one of the most disagreeable we ever experienced, it snowed, 
rained and hailed nearly all the time ; all along, the road was 
inundated with several inches of water, which made the ground 
cold and damp, and having no tents or shelter to protect us 
from the storm. The roads were horrible, mud up to the 
wagon hubs, through which, with the utmost difficulty, we 
dragged our wagons, with the assistance of both men and 
mules. At Perote we halted for two days, and then left for 
Puebia. 

After we arrived at Puebia, we receivecj orders the same 
evening to march the next morniqg for the city of Mexico, 
but on account of blistered feet, ancJ a bad cold contracted 
during our long marches, I was compelled (for the first time), 
to remain back for a few days, or pntil the next train goes to 
the city of Mexico, when I shall go with it and join my com- 
pany again. 

There were four of our company, who, like myself, were 
left here with the same complaints. We clubbed together 
and rented a room ; ^q cfuring ou}- stay w^ ha4 cpmfprtab}e 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 405 

quarters, and plenty to eat and nothing to do. We were com- 
pelled to either rent this room or go to the hospital, this of 
course we did not fancy, because the grub you get in these 
hospitals is nothing extra, and again, we would have been 
compelled to stay until they saw fit to send us to our com- 
panies, so I assure you we kept ourselves very quiet for fear 
of being found out. 

Some good and kind friend of mine sent me several news- 
papers from Lewistown, Pa., of which I took great interest in 
reading. Oh, how I recollect the scenes that we passed 
through when we lived there. The next letter you will re- 
ceive from me, will be from the halls of Montezumas, if noth- 
ing happens. I ever remain your brother, J. J. O. 

Monday, December 6, 1847. — This morning there is quite an 
excitement in the city. The Mexicans had a procession, they 
carried banners with Genls. Scott and Jackson's pictures, with 
parrot noses and well specked with spots of blood and dirt. 
This was all done to raise an excitement among the citizens, 
as they, the Mexicans, have it reported that Gen. Paredas is 
within two days' march of Puebla, with five thousand troops, to 
attack us ; and the train which left here several days ago 
for the city of Mexico, is on the retreat back to this city, all 
done by Gen. Paredas' army. Our mess is the least excited, 
as we are used to such clamoring and false reports. Don't 
believe a word of it. 

In the afternoon we received another requisition from Capt. 
Herron, on the Commissary for to draw more rations. 

Tuesday, December 7, 1847. — This morning I noticed the 
ordnance men went to Fort Loretto, to have the artillery and 
mortar ready so as to throw a shell in the main plaza, in case 
Gen. Paredas arrives and makes an attempt to attack us. But 
I can't believe that Gen. Paredas will be so foolish as to attack 
our present force with his five thousand, when Gen. Santa 
Anna with his eight thousand troops could not drive our gar- 
rison of six hundred men out. The new arrivals don't know 



406 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

the Mexicans as well as we do, if they did, they would not get 
alarmed at every little report they hear. 

Col. Gorman's Indiana Regiment is stationed at the Mayor's 
palace, as a guard, and the way things look now, is, that we 
are going to have a fight. 

At noon it is reported that Gen. Paredas is in the neighbor- 
hood. 

To-night having plenty of candles, we devoted our time to 
writing letters and straightening up our notes of our campaign. 
We are listening for Gen. Paredas' attack on the city, but all 
is quiet, and nobody is asking us any questions as to who we 
are or to what regiment we belong, and we aint foolish enough 
to tell anybody who we are, would you ? 

Wednesday, December 8, 1847. — This morning we find the 
excitement is still at fever heat, owing to the orders issued by 
Gen. Lane concerning the procession the other day. 

The orders read : " That on, or hereafter, all Mexican pro- 
cessions or parades, either religiously, politically or otherwise, 
will be entirely prohibited in this city until further orders ; 
otherwise, they will be arrested and punished as violators of 
law and the public peace." 

So the patriotic Mexicans will have to behave themselves, 
or else they will be put in the chain gang, and made to sweep 
the streets. 

This afternoon we noticed some of the Ohio regiment men 
wanted to rob a poor Mexican woman who keeps a shop close 
by our room, but our mess interfered and would not let them 
commit the outrage, and told them, that they should be ashamed 
of themselves to attempt to rob this poor woman ; they 
wanted to know what we had to do with it, and what we were 
doing here ; we told them, that was none of their business. 
Seeing that they couldn't make anything of our crowd, they 
left the woman alone and said no more. She thanked us. 

To-night about 10 o'clock, the Indiana picket-guards were 
driven in from their posts by a few Mexicans ; this raised a 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 407 

little excitement among the new troops, thinking that Gen. 
Paredas was surely coming, but it was a false alarm. You 
Indiana boys will have to do a little better than this, it will 
never do to run away without showing a little fight first. This 
is something that has not happened to us during the whole 
siege of Puebla. 

Thursday, December 9, 1847. — This morning about 10 
o'clock, Mr. Doyle, the British Minister, accompanied by a 
squadron of Louisiana cavalry under Capt. Fairchilds, arrived 
from Vera Cruz, on their way to the capital of Mexico. They 
stated that Gen. William O. Butler, with about five thousand 
troops were encamped at El Pinol, and will be here in four 
or five days. 

This afternoon Reddy McClellan, of Co. D, of our regi- 
ment, and who, like ourselves, was left here with the same 
complaint, was found out by some of Col. Gorman's men, and 
was sent to Fort Loretto, there to join the regulars. So our 
party took heed to keep the door • closed and to keep very 
quiet. Dare not burn any candles to-night. 

Friday, December 10, 1847. — This morning everything 
looks quiet in and around the city. In the afternoon a Mexi- 
can came to our room and stated that the President of the 
United States has recalled Mr. N. P. Trist, our American Min- 
ister to Mexico. Our mess don't believe it. 

Saturday, December 1 1 , 1 847. — This morning, after break- 
fast, I was busy in writing letters, when in walked a sergeant 
and a guard of four soldiers, telling us that Gov. Childs wished 
to see us, and report ourselves to him this afternoon and get 
attached to some company. We told the sergeant that we 
would report ourselves. He then left. 

So this afternoon we carried out our promise and reported 
ourselves to Gov. Childs, and he told us to come at 9 o'clock, 
to-morrow morning, and he would send us to Fort Loretto 
where he had a company of old soldiers. We of course 
promised the Colonel faithfully that we would call and report 
ourselves without fail, as we were anxious to be attached to 



} 



408 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

some company (/;/ a pig's eye). We left the Colonel, laughing 
among ourselves, saying that the Colonel must be mighty sharp 
if he catches any of us near his quarters to-morrow. 

This evening we resolved to change our quarters to-morrow 
for a few days, or until Gen. Butler's division arrives, when we 
will follow it to the city of Mexico and there be attached to 
our own respective companies. 

To-night, on account of our promise, we can burn candles 
and rest with ease without any fear of being disturbed by the 
patrol. So all four of us went to work and posted our notes 
of to-day's proceedings and wrote letters to several of our 
friends, one of which is to one of my old schoolmates, as 
follows : 

f PuEBLA City, Mexico, 

December nth, 1847. 

Mr. William Strunk. 

Dear Friend : — It has been a long time since I have seen 
you or heard from you, but for all this I have not forgot- 
ten you. No, I often think of you and the many pleas- 
ant and happy hours I passed at the old Hoffman school- 
house, pelting each other with snow-balls and playing town- 
ball. All these scenes and memories of my boyhood are 
constantly mingled with the many dreams in this tierra 
calientes. You are aware that I am now engaged and going to 
a different kind of school, as well as playing ball ; yes, playing 
with balls that are dangerous, and when they strike will leave 
more painful marks than the ones you used to pitch or 
throw at me when running to base, or put me out on the fly 
and sometimes foul too. I will not now attempt to give you 
any outlines of our long marches, battles, guerilla fights, etc., 
and of the siege of Puebla, as I expect you have already, be- 
fore this letter reaches you, read in print a full and accurate 
account of the whole action. 

On our march from Perote Castle to Puebla City, we passed 
through a partly rough and beautiful valley. Some places it 
looked like an immense flower garden. The shrubs were 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 409 

chiefly of the cactus order, with beautiful masses of purple, 
yellow and crimson flowers, while the heliotrope and sweet pea 
could be seen on every hand, and made the air along the Na- 
tional road heavy with their perfume. We also passed, and 
sometimes quartered for the night at several large Jiaciendas. 
A hacienda is the same as a large country-seat or farm house 
in our States. Each hacienda, or in fact most all large hacien- 
das in this country have a main entrance through which 
guests, donkeys and carts alike find ingress. To this 
entrance is a large, heavy gate with strong hinges and 
heavy bolts, something like our prison gates. The first 
floor is mostly laid with bricks or small flagstone, and 
looks as cold as a tombstone. In each room there are 
plenty of chairs, and in the middle of the room there is a table 
loaded with glass lamps and numerous vases. In the corner is 
the water jar and bowls of native pottery from Cholula, dark 
red, with strange figures painted upon them. In almost every 
room can be seen numbers of the all-prevailing faith, in crosses 
and pictured saints, image of the Virgin, and a blood-stained im- 
age of Christ in perpetual crucifixion, before which young and 
old daily tell their beads and whisper their prayers. 

The city of Puebla is getting to be quite a lively place of 
business again. It begins to look old-fashioned ; that is as it 
looked before the main army left for the city of Mexico. New 
faces are daily to be seen, and places that were almost deserted 
a few months ago have now become resorted to by the better 
class of citizens ; where then, no one, neither a Mexican sol- 
dier or American dared to go, except the numerous Mexican 
soldiery. In places that were largely intermixed with guerillas 
and bad men of all descriptions, we can now see smiling and 
apparently contented faces. The business men who had to 
close their stores or shops for fear of being robbed by their 
own countrymen, come out now in the evening to ride or 
walk as best suits their convenience, without the fear of being 
molested or their places broken open and robbed, and them- 
selves reduced to the necessity of commencing life anew. On 



410 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

an evening ride around the beautiful Alameda Park, you can 
see the comfortable carriages of the more opulent dash along 
as they carry their inmates to enjoy the evening breeze. 

The whole bearing of the Mexicans of this city, whether a 
majority of them are hostile to the American soldiers or not, 
appears to feel a degree of safety under American protection, 
which was unknown to them before we entered this city; while 
those that were ready to cause the rights of this nation to be 
respected remained among them, delighted with themselves, 
terrifying others and driving great numbers of those who love 
order, peace and tranquility from their comfortable homes. 

In fact, I have got so used to these people in this city, that 
I sometimes forget myself, thinking that I am once more in a 
peaceful land. But, as a writer says, " I could not lay that 
flattering unction to my soul." It is too true. The reality is 
too plain. I am a soldier in the United States army, fighting 
the battles in Mexico, during this war unless sooner discharged. 
I often think of the times we had in our boyhood-days, and 
the home I left behind me, and sometimes I wish myself back 
among the valleys and hills where I have, spent the best part 
of my life ; but looking and wishing will not bring me home 
any sooner, so I may just as well be contented to stay until 
this bloody war is over. Good reason why. 

Since I have been here in this country, I have experienced 
much hardship and fatigue, in the exposure to the hot climate 
and sometimes in the cold and dismal rains ; also witnessing 
some horrible scenes. Our soldiers are dying, and most every 
day this little sentence is written, " Died of the diarrhoea." 
" Died of his wounds," etc. Every day some flower is 
plucked from its sunny home, or falls from his post and is 
thrown from the ramparts of time into the grave of eternity. 
Even now, while sitting down and writing this letter to you, 
the funeral of some gallant soldier passes like a winter shadow 
along the street. 

Our regiment has already left for the city of Mexico, and 
myself and three others belonging to our company, were left 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 411 

here on account of colds and rheumatism, but we are all re- 
covering fast, and will leave this city as soon as the next train 
from Vera Cruz arrives ; and as soon as I arrive safe at that 
immense capital, I will endeavor to write to you again, and 
give you a description of the Valley of Mexico, and the great 
halls of Montezumas, where the great Mexican Chieftain, Gen. 
Santa Anna — besides other officers who were equal in ex- 
perience, and highly esteemed in the warfare of the times of 
strength and valor — with over thirty thousand well armed 
troops, were badly whipped by Gen. Scott's army of from 
eight to ten thousand men. 

I have no doubt the people will say this was a gallant little 
army, and, as I stated before, and will repeat it again, that 
history has for more than two thousand years preserved the 
memory of the ten thousand Greeks who effected their re- 
treat from Persia, without fighting a single battle ; let our 
people not altogether forget the ten thousand American 
soldiers who landed at Vera Cruz, the victorious and trium- 
phant march to the capital of Mexico, and which never re- 
treated an inch. 

I have written a great deal more than I first intended to 

write, but it seems when I get started, I don't know when to 

stop ; as my candle is getting burned down pretty low and the 

night late, I will come to a close by saying that I am well, 

and will ever remain your friend, 

J. J. O. 

To Williavi Strunk, three locks above Leivistoivn, Pa. 

Sunday, December 12, 1847. — This morning is just one 
year since I enlisted in Capt. Small's company, and I was 
going to say I wish my time of enlistment had expired, but I 
want to go on to the city of Mexico before that time comes 
around. 

This morning about 9 o'clock we were to report ourselves 
at Gov. Child's headquarters, and from there to be taken to 
Fort Loretto to be attached to a company made up of strag- 
glers. 



412 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

We, of course, did not report, as we are determined not to 
go to Fort Loretto, if we can help it ; for if we ever get into 
that fortress they will keep us there as long as they see fit. 
We are not safe to remain here any longer ; so we must move 
from our comfortable little room one square further up the 
street, on a more out of way place. Before we left we posted 
a notice on the door as follows : — 

Notice. — The party of soldiers, who roomed in this house, 
have left, and have reported themselves for duty at Fort 
Loretto. Signed by the Roomers. 

This was done to throw the guard off their guard. They, 
no doubt, think that we have reported ourselves, and they will 
give themselves no further trouble. 

Fortunately, for ourselves, we were not long in our new 
quarters when in came a train from the city of Mexico on its 
way to Vera Cruz, under the command of Gen. David E. 
Twiggs, which caused a little excitement. Soon afterwards 
another train came in from Vera Cruz, under the command of 
Gen. William O. Butler. So you can imagine, while the two 
trains were passing through the streets of Puebla, it caused 
considerable confusion, and we could go anywhere without 
fear of being noticed. We mingled ourselves with the new 
troops, so that we wouldn't be detected. 

Capt. Kendrick's battery, which has been stationed here, 
went out to meet Gen. Butler, and fired a salute in honor of 
his arrival. 

Monday^ December 13, 1847. — This morning about 4 o'clock 
Gen. Twiggs left Puebla City with about four hundred, mostly 
empty, wagons for Vera Cruz, of which place Gen. Twiggs is 
to be Governor or general commander. He takes with him a 
large mail from this city. 

Gen. Butler's division, which arrived yesterday, is mostly 
composed of volunteers, nearly four thousand. Among them 
are tv."o regiments from Tennessee, and several regiments from 
Kentucky, and a large train and mail, loaded mostly with pro- 
vision and ammunition. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 418 

At noon Col. Dominguez's spy company came in from the 
city of Mexico on their way to Vera Cruz. They are bearers 
of important dispatches from Gen. Scott to our government. 

In the evening our mess paid a visit to the theatre, and 
witnessed the plays called " Lucretia Borgia " and the 
" Nervous Man," which pieces were played and performed 
by the Fourth Ohio Regiment (as subs). During the 
performance several rows were kicked up by some of the 
Pennsylvania and the Fourth Ohio Regiment, but the rumpus 
was soon over, and squashed by the officers of the theatre, 
without doing much damage to either party. Fearing that 
we would be recognized we quietly left the theatre for our 
little quarters, and on our way we heard reported that Lieut. - 
Col. Johnson, with a large force, was encamped at Amozo- 
quco, and would be in the city to-morrow. 

Tuesday, December 14th, 1847. — This morning, about 10 
o'clock, Lieut-Col. Johnston arrived with over thirteen hun- 
dred troops and a large train. It is accompanied with a large 
Mexican train of packed mules, loaded with merchandise for 
the foreign merchants at the- city of Mexico. There are also 
one hundred recruits for the First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, on their way to the city, there to be distributed 
among the different companies. I also noticed more dragoons 
with this train than any other that has come up yet. It is the 
cavalry that we want to follow the flying Mexican Lancers. 

To-night it is rumored that Gen. Butler's train will start for 
the city of Mexico in the morning. So on the strength of 
this our mess is in high glee at the prospect of leaving Puebla 
and marching with Gen. Butler's division. 

Wednesday, December 15th, 1847. — This morning, most of 
the soldiers are busy in packing up to leave, as they received 
orders that the train would start at 2 o'clock, p. m. So we 
four marched out the National road {not to Fort Loretto), about 
seven miles, where we found the advance train in camp. The 
encampment was at a large hacienda. On our march out to 
this place we passed over a beautiful bridge and through 
several beautiful gate-ways. 



414 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

To-night it is cold and the wind blows very hard, and as we 
have no tents to sleep under we passed a sleepless night, you 
may depend. 

Thursday, December i6th, 1847. — This morning we did not 
start as soon as was expected, owing to the detention of Capt. 
Lovell's battery, which is on its way to Vera Cruz. Capt. 
Lovell, of the Fourth Artillery, was chief of staff of Gen. John 
A. Quitman's division, and was wounded at the battle or storm- 
ing of the castle of Chapultepec. About 8 o'clock, a. m., we 
left camp and passed over a beautiful prairie country and en- 
camped at a large liacicnda named San Domingo. 

Friday, December 17th, 1847. — This morning we left camp 
at daylight and passed over the same kind of tierra tcmplado 
as before ; also passed several beautiful liacioidas. The road is 
gradually going up hill, but is straight and good, and by look- 
ing back you can see the bright bayonets shining in the sun- 
beams, and the white covered tops of Uncle Sam's wagons. 
It looks as if we are passing close by the two volcanic moun- 
tains of Popocatapetl and Iscotafelt; also passed through 
several narrow passes and through the thickest of woods, con- 
taining some of the finest and largest trees I have ever seen. 
We also passed a bridge which looked like it was once forti- 
fied. We went into camp about 2 o'clock, p. m., on a large 
field in front of a hacienda called Molino. Here we found the 
water very cold and plenty of icicles. 

To-night the report is that five of our soldiers, who strag- 
gled too far back from the main army, were killed by the 
guerillas. 

Saturday, December i8th, 1847. — Thismorning, at 6 o'clock, 
we left camp and marched up hill for about ten miles. We 
could plainly see the white snow covered mountains of Popo- 
catapetl and Iscotafelt on our left; also saw along the National 
road newly cut down trees, which have been lying across the 
road to stop or delay Gen. Scott's advancing army. 

The country we passed through to-day was pretty rough 
and wild, with large pine forests. In fact it put me in mind of 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 415 

some of the wild pine forests in our western part of Pennsyl- 
vania. We passed a little stream called Rio Frio (Cold river), 
and I think it is well named, for I find it awful cold, ice and 
ice crystals hanging over the cliffs of the hills. We also passed 
a fortified bridge, put there by Gen. Santa Anna, to show fight, 
but like all the rest of his fortifications and breastworks along 
the road, he blew them up and vamosed for the city. 

We finally went into camp at Venta dc Rio Frio ; here eight 
companies of the Fifth Ohio Regiment, under Col. \\ illiam 
Irwin, were stationed as a garrison, to keep an eye on the 
numerous bands of desperados and guerillas which have for 
some time set all laws and its officers at defiance. They seem 
to have comfortable quarters, having shanties and houses built 
for them to li\'e in ; but they don't like this place on account 
of its sudden changes of temperature, which makes it very 
unhealthy. They say that they have not been here a month 
and have already lost ten men, suffering from colds and 
diarrhoea. 

Sunday, Dcccvibcr 19, 1847. — This morning we left camp 
early, owing to a long day's march before us. W^e traveled 
up hill until near noon, when we arrived on the summit of 
Rio Frio, which is the highest and coldest point on the National 
road. Here the beautiful plains of Puebla and city of Mexico 
separate a chain of mountains running across to Popocatepetl, 
which divides the two valleys. Popocatcpcqiie is so-called 
from the smoke which used to continually ascend from its top, 
{ox popoca, in Aztec language, signifies smoke, and tipeque a 
mountain. Historic writers say that this mountain, in 1540, 
broke forth in such a manner that the country all around was 
terrified therewith, for it vomited not only a black smoke, but 
also horrible flames of fire, which sometimes being blown 
downwards burnt the niaic (wheat) and corn in the fields, and 
the ashes thereof flying as far as the ancient city of Cholula, 
and burnt the best part of the city to the ground. The in- 
habitants endeavored by flight to secure themselves in some 
other place, with the intention never to return to Cholula 



416 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

again, but the flames and smoke soon abated and all returned 
to their former homes and built up that part of the city that 
was burnt. 

We marched on until we came to where the road takes a 
turn, and from here is one of the most romantic views and 
scenes which no one who ever visited here can forget. As a 
writer recently said, " The whole vast plain and valley of Mex- 
ico, and the city of Mexico with its lofty steeples and its 
chequered domes, its bright reality and its former fame, its 
modern splendor, and on every side its thousand lakes looks 
like silver stars on a velvet mantle." All its ancient magnifi- 
dence is now before us. 

After resting and refreshing ourselves we continued our 
march, and descending the mountain by a winding road we 
passed several of the Mexican breastworks ; we also passed 
some beautiful haciendas, standing off the road, and several 
ancient Indian churches ; passed Voita de CJialco and went 
into camp at Villa Ayotla, about seventeen miles from the city 
of Mexico. This is the first place where Gen. Scott's army 
was stopped from following the National road to the city, and 
he left it by cutting a new road to the left, to reach the Aca- 
pulco road, which led to the western part of the city of Mex- 
ico. This was done to avoid a battle at El Penon, a high, 
rocky, round top hill, which the Mexicans had strongly forti- 
fied. But Gen. Scott's army met Gen. Santa Anna's army at 
San Antonia, Contreras, San Augustine and Churubusco and 
other strongly fortified positions, and defeated the Mexicans at 
all the above points. Ayotla is a splendid place for an army 
to encamp ; it is surrounded by Lake Chalco and other small 
lakes, which are covered with wild ducks and other wild fowls. 

Monday, December 20, 1847. — This morning we left Ayotla, 
and passed over a very sandy and dusty road. The scenery 
around the National Road is magnificent. We passed a small 
villa (town) called Tlapisahua, an old Indian town, where the 
Indians still worship their usual customs. We also passed a 
small place called Los Reys, from here we can see the deep 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 417 

cut made by Gen. Hernandez Martinez, a Spanish engineer, 
to drain the great valley of Mexico, which used to overflow 
and destroy a great deal of property, besides the loss of thou- 
sands of lives. It was commenced in 1540 and finished, I 
believe, in 1560. They first started to tunnel the hill ; but, 
when they were nearly half way through, it caved in on them 
and killed fifteen thousand men. After this fearful accident 
they started to dig the whole affair out. During .its con- 
struction over seventy-two thousand men lost their lives, on 
account of it caving in very easily. It is nearly eight miles 
long, and from two hundred to two hundred and sixty feet 
wide, and from fifty to three hundred and sixty feet deep. It 
cost many millions of dollars to build it. 

There is a lake on each side of the National Road from this 
place to El Penon. This road, previous to Gen. Scott's army 
entering the valley of Mexico, was all cut up in trenches and 
well barricaded. It will also be remembered that this El 
Penon Pass, and its fortification, was pronounced by Gen. 
Scott and his engineers impregnable to pass, without the loss, 
and probably the destruction, of nearly our whole army. So 
it was avoided. The opinion of Gen. Scott and his engineers 
was good, for it is one of the strongest fortresses and best 
positions for defences to check an army than any other place 
we have seen between the city of Mexico and Vera Cruz. 

We stopped here some time and examined the hill 
thoroughly, and find that it has the whole sway of the 
National Road, as already stated, strongly fortified by both 
Genls. Santa Anna and Valincia, both skillful and practical 
engineers. 

All the ditches mentioned were filled with water. The 
ditches are about twenty-five feet wide and from eight to 
twelve feet deep. This El Penon was commanded by Gen. 
Valincia with an army of over twenty thou.sand troops. 

Right opposite the El Penon, (or, in fact, on the right of the 
National Road, going to the city of Mexico), stands a public 
house, in which Gen. Valincia had his headquarters, until 
27 



418 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Gen. Scott counter-marched his marching army, and went 
around the back way, nearly the same route that Conqueror 
Cortez took the second time on his way to the city of Mexico. 
The building was strongly fortified, and was pierced with 
musket holes. 

This building would have to be taken before our army could 
storm El Penon, as there is a lake at the foot of the hill. 

After viewing the place, we left and passed over a beautiful 
road, well shaded with large trees. The lake of Tezueco run- 
ning along the National Road. 

We again stopped at the head of Tezueco, or where a little 
stream runs across the National Road. Here I noticed that 
the lakes around here are full of wild ducks and any quantity 
of fish. The water looks kind of green, mucky and un- 
healthy. 

After rcfrescadiira (refreshing) ourselves, we again started, 
and we find the road from here to the city far better than any 
we have yet passed over, it is well shaded with fine large 
trees on both sides of the road, and I am told in time of peace, 
it is well patronized by the wealthy class and sporting citizens 
as a driving park. 

To the cntrado (entrance), of the city is a large pucrta (gate- 
way), called by the Mexicans San Lazaro. This was also 
strongly fortified with deep ditches on each side of the road 
or gate. Here in time of peace every Mexican, or passer-by 
has to pay so much before he can enter the city of Mexico, 
but of course it is at the present time free to all who may see 
fit to go to the city. 

I remember reading in history that the city of Mexico lies 
in a valley surrounded by water and lakes, and that the only 
causeway to approach the city, was by a road built up in the 
water. 

The only causeway, I think, that was ever built through 
the lakes, is the National K-oad from El Pcnon through Lake 
Tezueco to the city, it being the nearest lake, and is about five 
miles from the gates to the city of Mexico, 



A 1 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 419 

I admit that part of history where it says that the city is 
built in a fine valley, but as for the lakes surrounding it, I, for 
one, do not see it, they must have all dried up since the last 
history of Mexico has been written. 

We arrived at the carita (sentry box), about 3 o'clock, p. m., 
here we found the Kentucky Volunteers encamped, protecting 
the entrado. We proceeded on until we reached the main 
plaza in front of the great National Palace or halls of Monte- 
zumas, here the division halted, and our squad went around 
making inquiry as to the whereabouts of our regiment ; we 
soon heard that they were quartered near the cindadola 
(citadel), near the gates of San Cosme, at the western part of 
the city, where our victorious army first entered the Cindad 
(ic Mexico. 

Here we joined our respective companies, and as a matter 
of course were much gratified and pleased in seeing each other 
again. I feel much fatigued, incurred from our toilsome march 
to this city, and what pleased me more the mess I belong to 
have a good pollito cooked for our supper, besides other good 
things on the table, which I assure you did not taste bad after 
our hard marching. The supper was prepared by our friends 
John Newman and Joseph C. Taylor. This was the first 
chicken I have eaten under the wings of the halls of Montezuma, 
and I hope it will not be the last. We are quartered in one 
of the many rooms in a large convent, which are very com- 
fortable, so good-night, for the first sleep in the capital of 
Mexico. 

Tuesday, December 21, 1847. — This morning I did not rise 
until 8 o'clock, on account of our tiresome march from Puebla 
to this city, nearly eighty miles. 

At noon, myself and several of my comrades took a little 
walk around the Cindad, but being very hot and still tired, 
we soon returned to our quarters, where I saw the monks, 
who are in another room, cutting up their shines with the so- 
called piiridad virtuosa niugers (purity and virtuous woman), 
and as a fellow said, I saw something going Qn \x\ that room 



420 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

that almost set a man like me crazy. Further comment is un- 
necessary. This large convent building still bears marks of 
the revolutionary times, defaced with cannon's grape, canister, 
etc. In some places whole corners are ripped out and other- 
wise badly damaged. 

This evening, being very pleasant, I devoted my time to 
writing letters home to my parents, brothers and friends. To 
brother Frederick, as follows : 

City of Mexico, \ 

December 21. 1847. j 

Dear Brother : — I am at last in the great city of Mexico, 
and shall soon revel in the halls of the Montezuma, about 
which you and I have read and heard so much talk at home 
and at school. On the 12th instant, Maj. Gen. William O. 
Butler's train arrived at Puebla City from Vera Cruz, on its 
way to the city of Mexico. After a few days rest the train 
left Puebla, on the 15th, for this city, myself coming with the 
division to join my regiment. On leaving Puebla City we 
entered a venusta la rodadura tierra (beautiful rolling country), 
which looks rich for agricultural capacities. We also passed 
several places which Gen. Santa Anna had fortified to stop 
the progress of Gen. Scott's army, but they were all abandoned 
before our army got near them. On, still onward our army 
kept marching, through the sandy plains and hills of Mexico, 
and our banner on every battle-field triumphantly waving, and 
our bugler on their walls playing Yankee Doodle. 

On descending by a winding road from Rio Frio mountains, 
or the Cordilleras, as it is called, into the great valley of 
Mexico, you can see some of the prettiest views that human 
eye can see. A city in the distance, on the left is seen the 
strong Castle of Chapultepec, on a high rock or hill. The 
castle was the residence of the Aztec kings , but is, in time of 
peace, used as a military school. In the centre is the city of 
Mexico, with its immense towers and cupolas, and religious 
monuments ; erected mostly by the Spaniards, during the three 
centuries of their government in Mexico. On the right, about 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 421 

five or six miles from the city, lies the beautiful Lake Tezueco, 
full of wild ducks and floating gardens. The whole puts me 
in mind of the view of Philadelphia, from the incline plains, 
above Columbia Bridge, only more picturesque. 

We entered the city yesterday afternoon by the garitor or 
piicrta (gateway) of San Lazaro. So, of course, I have not 
seen enough of the city to form a correct opinion of it ; but, 
from the little I have already seen, I must confess myself to 
be very much disappointed. I have seen nothing yet of that 
extraordinary richness nor splendor, which I have been in- 
formed would be observable at every step we would take. 

We are now quartered in a convent building, nearly in full 
view of the National Palace, and the great Catholic Cathedral. 
The latter was founded in 1573, and finished in 1667. The 
National Palace from here is a very ordinary looking building, 
the exterior at least ; but external appearance of the cathedral 
is certainly very magnificent. 

The city of Mexico is the most populous city we have yet 
seen in this country, and I have been surprised to think how 
so small a force (a little over six thousand soldiers) could have 
entered this city, for in less than five minutes after we passed 
the San Lazaro gate I saw enough of greasers, not counting 
the gentle Mexicans, to have driven the whole of Gen. 
Winfield Scott's army into the sea, had they possessed the 
proper spirit and metal to move in the undertaking. Again the 
city of Mexico is like most all the other cities in Mexico, 
there is an air of filth, degradation and misery among the 
poor class ; all from laziness and vagrancy. 

It is said here, and I know not upon what authority, that a 
portion of our army would shortly leave for Queretaro, the 
present seat of the Mexican Government, which is about one 
hundred and forty-five miles from this city. But I think at 
present it is certain that no movement of troops will be made, 
as our force is too weak to make a move. But in a short time 
ample re-enforcement will reach here to enable Gen. Scott to 
undertake and accomplish whatever he thinks proper, and for 
the best. 



422 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The latest advices we have from Vera Cruz states that there 
are about twelve thousand troops at that city. About five 
thousand of these troops have already arrived with the last 
train. Thus I have not the least doubt that in less than three 
months we will have an army from twenty-five to thirty thousand 
men, and that every place of any size and importance will be 
garrisoned throughout the entire country, as they are now 
between this city and Vera Cruz. And as far as the fighting, 
I believe it is all over. The Mexicans, I think, will never 
make another stand against our army, but confine their opera- 
tions against any small detachment, or in attacking the trains 
in the rear, which may happen to be on the road. 

This war has been a profitable and fruitful harvest for the 
guerillas, and other highway robbers, who profess to have 
organized themselves to oppose the American army.; but are, 
in fact, more feared by, and more formidable to their own 
countrymen by far than to our American army. Even these 
guerillas, as well as their regular army, are almost ex- 
terminated, or have been abandoned, for there can be found 
scarcely any to rally against our army. 

I believe the majority of the Mexican people are in favor of 
peace, but the pride of their rulers will not allow any con- 
cession of their territory whatever, and they will likely persist 
in their foolish opposition until the great Republic of Mexico 
loses its much boasted nationality, and become a dependency 
of the United States Government. 

The whole country around here (except the great valley), 
is volcanic ; the principal and mo.st historic are the Popo- 
catapetl and Iscotafelt. 

The street venders and hucksters are poorly clad, and carry 
most everything on their heads. Such a thing as a stove-pipe 
hat is seldom worn, they mostly wear broad brim sombrero, 
some of which are gorgeously trimmed and embroidered with 
silver thread ; their dress is similar to ours with the exception 
that the Mexicans wear the short jacket with a sash or belt 
around their waist, some have fine rows of bright silver 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 423 

buttons on the outside seam of their pants, which fit tight to 
below the knee and then spring out at the bottom. The 
women wear no bonnets, a dark shawl is all they wear over 
their heads and shoulders. 

It would make some of our Pennsylvania ^r^//^^;7> (farmers) 
laugh to see some of the instruments of agriculture they have 
in this country, which I had the pleasure of seeing on our 
march to this city, and which I explained before. 

Horses are seldom seen except in the army or upon the 
streets when bestrode by some picturesque hacienda from the 
country. Carriages are seldom seen, particularly in the 
country. 

The weather is pleasant. I hope I shall soon have another 
opportunity to write you a more interesting letter, and a more 
graphical description of this famous city of Mexico. 

I must now come to a close by saying that I am well and 
hearty, and feel exceedingly proud to think that I have gone 
through the ordeal to see the historic city of Mexico. 

Your brother, J. J. O. 

Wednesday, Decendur 22, 1847. — This morning we received 
orders to pack up and leave the city for a small village named 
San Angel, about six miles from this city. About 10 o'clock, 
we started and arrived at San Angel about noon, and took 
quarters in a large building once used as a manufacturing es- 
tablishment. Here we have good and comfortable quarters, 
surrounded by orchards and orange groves, and a beautiful 
garden, laid out with vegetables and flowers. Here we ex- 
pect to remain until the whole army moves on to Queretaro 
City. 

Thursday, December 23, 1847. — This morning I got permis- 
sion from Lieut. Aquilla Haines, our commanding officer, to 
go to the city of Mexico, and paid a visit to the National 
Arsenal. On entering the arsenal I was astonished to see the 
work-shops and arms and ammunition. I counted no less than 
fifty pieces of artillery, all captured from the Mexicans during 



424 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

the fight in the valley. Their calibre is from four to sixty- 
eight pounders, all well mounted after our model, which I sup- 
pose was taken from the two brass pieces of artillery taken 
or captured from our army at the battle of Buena Vista. 
After spending the whole forenoon, I left and paid a visit to 
the Mexican Museum. Here I saw a great many ancient 
curiosities, among which is the dress worn by Montezuma at 
the time of his reign. It is made of wild duck skins and orna- 
mented with snake skins, etc. Next I viewed the great sacri- 
ficial stone altar, which was dug up in the main plaza many 
years ago, and I am told that on this very altar twenty thou- 
sand souls were sacrificed, sometimes in one year, to the 
heathen gods that bowed to stone and wood. The altar is 
cut and carved with many curious beasts and birds, and has a 
hole in it where they put the heart and blood ; the work of a 
nation which is now nearly extinct. But there are more of 
these people living in and around the city of Mexico than 
^ny where between this place and Vera Cruz, who still retain 
their ancient Indian religion and many of their primitive cus- 
toms. In the centre of the square of the museum is the 
statue of Charles V on a horse, cast in 1803. This is one of 
the seven wonders of the world ; it is made of solid brass and 
is twenty feet high and well proportioned. The man that 
made this beautiful statue soon afterwards killed him.self on 
account of (which no one would have noticed) neglecting to 
put the core or warts on the horse's legs. This statue is in 
memory of Charles V, who was King of Spain during Fer- 
nando Cortez conquering and plundering Mexico. 

Friday, Dece7)ibcr 24, 1847. — This morning I paid a visit to 
the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, also to the 
New York and Massachusetts Regiments. They have elegant 
quarters fronting on the plaza of San Angel, and also viewed 
the spot and tree at which the deserters were tried, flogged 
and branded. Col. Thomas Riley, already mentioned, was 
flogged and branded with the letter D ; first making the mis- 
take of branding him with the letter D upside down. So, of 



A-2l\ NOIKS OF rHK MFAKWN WAR. 

course. Col. Riloy hail to bo bi\iiulo*.l o\cr a^aiii. hetwooii the 
nose and cheek, this time ri^ht side ujv One ot" the New 
Yorkers handed nie a newspaper published in the cii\'. In it 
I noticed a piece where Gen. Scott seemed to be much dis- 
satisfied at the way the new troops are arri\ in^;. the\- haiiUy 
iKuini::^ clothing, shoes or blankets with them. It is supposed 
that all new troops should be well clothed, but the new troops 
look tar worse than we do, w ho ha\ e been in the United Slates 
serxice for o\er a year. Commissar}' Quartermaster Cieneral 
T. S. Jessup. )Hni must clothe the soldiers before ymi send 
them into this countr\-, for there is no cloth manufactor\- in 
operation in ^Mexico. The onl\- thin^;- we find abundant in this 
titr/ti is ////C'^ i''^^') '^'^^1 tleas. 

To-da\- I saw Lieut. Mayne Reid. lie is a splendid looking 
officer and well uniformed, lie still w.ilks lame fiom wounds 
received while stormini^" the Castle oi' Chapultepec. It w ill be 
remembered that the forlorn hojie party was composed of 
regulars, volunteers and l^niteil States marines, under the 
command of Maj Twiggs, They starteii oft' with cheers (ov 
Chapultepec, and when nearly half way up INIai. rwiggs was 
killed. The fire Worn the castle at this time was hea\ \ and 
continuous and fital to oui- men and officers, so much so that 
our men began to talter. Lieut. Reid, w ho at that time was 
with the New York regiment guarding a b.itter\- at the foot o( 
the hill or castle, seeing that our officers and men were tailing 
and beginning to waver, asked leave of his commanding officer 
to join with some o\' his men the storming part\- with the 
scaling ladders, and it was granted with the woiils " do .ind 
God be with \ou." 0\X the\- went, his Lieut. ll\'polite Dar- 
donvill following him. Lieut. Reid luwv took eommaiul o\ 
the storming party, calling upon those aiiMiiul him .uul shout- 
ing in a loud voice " Will \-ou stand b}' me? The castle mus; 
be taken or the American army is lost." " We w ill I we w ill I 
let us charge up the hill ; we are reailw" " i.\>me on, 1 will 
lead N'ou," slu>uted Lieut. Reid. On they charged, aiul when 
about half wa)- u[t, the AL'xic.ms openetl on our men with 



N(rrKs OF THE Mexican war. 427 

grape and canister, playing havoc in cnir ranks at every dis- 
charge. Lieut. Rcid was slightly wounded, but kept on 
waving his sword in the air, shouting to his men " Come on, 
wc will carry the day," and when near the front wall Lieut. 
Reid was wounded through the thigh, Lieut. Cochran of the 
Voltiguers regiment and Lieut. H. Dardonvill,a young French 
officer (called by his men Dare Devil), passed Lieut. Reid, 
wiio cheered the men on, telling them not to mind him and 
not to leave the wall. Lieut. Dare Devil, with his men, now 
mounted the scaling ladders, a rush was made and the castle 
fell, and Lieut. Dardonvill was the first to pull down the 
Mexican flag from its staff, and not Lieut. Col. Thomas Sey- 
mour, as the pai)ers have it. 

But by recent investigation, it has been proven that the first 
American flag on the Castle of Chapultepec was unfurled by 
Capt. Moses Barnard, of the Voltigeurs. He hails from Phil- 
adelphia, Pa. So i'ennsylvania can claim the honor for one 
of her sons for this brilliant achievement. 

Lieut. Mayne Reid, mentioned above, it will be remembered 
killed a private soldier at Puebla City, July 22, 1847, by run- 
ning him through the heart with liis sword ; but in honor of 
that gallant young officer he (Reid) was fully exonerated by a 
court of inquiry. It appears that the unfortunate man who 
was slain was a prisoner in the guard-house. Lieut. Reid was 
Officer of the Day, and on entering the guard-house the prisoner 
sprang to his feet and rushed upon him (Reid) with his iron 
shackels uplifted in the act to strike, when the Lieutenant 
killed him in self-defence. 

(Col. Riley, mentioned several times, after the war with 
Mexico returned to the United States and entered suit in 
the United States District Court of Cincinnati, (^hio, for 
;^50,000 damages, for flogging and branding him in Mexico. 
After a week's trial, the jury returned a verdict of not 
guilty, and put the cost of the suit on Col. Riley. So 
ended one of the most singular suits that has ever been brought 



428 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

before any court in the United States, or in the world, to ob- 
tain damages for deserting his country's flag and going over to 
the enemy to fight against his country.) 

Saturday, December 25, 1847. — This morning a party of us 
went to the city in a Troy coach, for the purpose of eating 
our Christmas dinner. I also visited the curiosities around 
the city, after which I went to the great Cathedral, which 
stands on the very spot where the old halls of Montezumas 
once stood. It being Christmas there were great sights to be 
seen in the Cathedral. The whole building was illuminated 
with five thousand wax lights. They had an image of our 
Saviour in a cradle and were rocking it like a child, sineine 
verses, etc., and the organ playing to its utmost extent. The 
ceremonies were grand and the building was crowded with all 
classes of people. The ceremonies kept up until noon, when 
they ceased until to-night. After witnessing all the ceremonies 
I left to get my Christmas dinner at the Laqunda (Lake Hotel), 
which dinner could not be beaten. I saw here Maj. John P. 
Gaines and Capt. C. C. Danby, who were all captured at Encar- 
nacion, in the latter part of January, by the Mexican forces 
under Gen. Minion, several days before the battle of Buena 
Vista. Maj. Gaines and Capt. Danby would not accept their 
parole and escaped to the city of Puebla a few days before the 
army left that city for the city of Mexico, and joined the army 
again and did good service in the valley of Mexico, acting as 
aides to Gen. Scott. 

' In the evening we left the city, well pleased with the way 
in which we spent our Christmas in the land of Aztecs, and 
arrived safe at San Angel. 

Sunday, December 26, 1847. — This morning, being Sunday, 
and not much to do, Alburtus Welsh and myself took our 
blankets and started to the polque bushes close by, and com- 
menced writing letters to our friends at home ; one to a farmer 
in Lancaster county, for whom I used to work when a boy, as 
follows : — 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 429 

Camp near the City of Mexico, ) 
December 26, 1847. ) 

Mr. David Landls. 

Dear Sir : — I have no doubt that you will be surprised to 
receive a letter from me, and particularly from this section of 
the country. You will see by this letter that I am in the 
United States army fighting in the battles which have been 
raging here in Mexico, but at present we are at peace ; that is, 
there is no fighting going on now ; but, at the same time, I 
can see the gleaming bayonets and sabres flash, and men look- 
ing through glaring eyes upon his brother man, thirsting for 
his blood. I can hear the boom of the cannons, the rattling 
of musketry, the whizzing of bullets and the groans of the 
dying men. You may think this is horrible to speak of, but 
it is the truth. You will see by the date of this letter that we 
have at last arrived in the city of Mexico, where a great many 
scenes and curiosities are to be seen. We have become pretty 
well settled down here, and all its novelty has worn off, and 
the city seems as any other city does when one has grown 
familiar with it. There are few cities more pleasant than 
Mexico. The streets look like the streets in Lancaster. 

Christmas has come and gone, and I had the pleasure of 
spending it in the halls of Montezumas with the Mexican part 
of the population. It was celebrated according to their time- 
honored customs, and in accordance with the spirit and usages 
of the Catholic religion. I spent my Christmas in as much 
relishment and pleasure as any I ever spent at home, and I 
must confess that some of my comrades and my.self, towards* 
the close of the day, seemed to care little about the cares and 
perplexities of life, and cared little whether we enlisted 
during the war with Mexico, or for life, or whether corn was 
worth five cents or five dollars per bushel ; and, taking it 
altogether, I shall never forget the Christmas I passed in the 
city of the Aztecs. 

The city of Mexico is both ancient and at present the me- 
tropolis and capital of all Mexico. It is the seat of all the 



430 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

head rulers of that country. It was at one time one of. the 
richest cities in the world, but the numerous revolutions have 
reduced it to almost nothing. It was at one time subject to 
one inconvenience, that is in case of heavy rains, which 
caused the surrounding lakes to overflow. 

In the year 1629 a heavy rain fell, swelling the lakes, break- 
ing- through the banks in such a manner that it overflowed all 
of Mexico City, washed away houses and flooding the best and 
richest part of the city, with the destruction of many of the 
people, the loss of all merchandise which could not stand 
water, and had it not been for the number of canoes and boats 
to help them, nearly all the people would have perished and 
met a watery grave in this deluge. 

After this destruction the citizens made ample improvements 
to protect their city in the future ; large channels with 
arched sewers under ground were built, and the banks raised 
higher. There are now banks and sluices everywhere. Xhe 
main sewer or culvert runs directly through the middle of the 
city ; it is built of large stone arched, with inlet at almost 
every square. It took twenty years to build it, and is con- 
sidered by all scientific men to be one of the best works in 
the world. 

The citadel or arsenal buildings are splendid, and none in 
the States will compete with them. The Catholic Cathedral 
is a splendid large building, situated on the ground where the 
mansion Cii of Montezumas once stood. Nothing of this 
historic building is left except the old Indian sun dial, which 
is left as a memorial to the nearly all vanished nation. The 
National Palace is also a splendid large building, taking up 
nearly a whole square of ground. It is the hall and seat of 
the Mexican Government, where they meet as our Congress- 
men do at Washington, and make laws for the nation. 

The present Congress of the Republic of Mexico have fled 
to Queretaro City, there formed the temporary capital of 
Mexico, and the news from there is not very favorable towards 
peace, and it is now rumored that we will soon start for 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 431 

Queretaro city. So I thought it best to write a letter to you and 
let my old friends in Lancaster County, Pa., whom I have not 
seen for seven years, know that I am still hanging on the stem 
called life, although since I have seen considerable of the 
elephant, in fact all of him that was to be seen since we landed 
on the shores below Vera Cruz, and I should now be perfectly 
satisfied to enjoy the balance of that privilege among the 
valleys and hills where I spent my early boyhood days, and 
have those good cakes and fixings which used to be spread 
on your table. Yes, I often think of those things, and particu- 
larly something good to eat. I have already written a great 
deal more than I first anticipated, but I shall now come 
to a close by saying, read this badly written letter carefully 
and then show it to your friends, and in particular to my old 
friend Harry Grabill and give him my compliments. No more 
but one word, that is I would sooner be home eating cakes 
and sausages than be out here fighting Santa Anna. 

Your friend, J. J. O. 
D. La/idis, Spread Eagle P. O., Lancaster Co., fa. 

Tuesday, December 28, 1847. — This morning at 10 o'clock I 
started for the city, and there I saw the Ninth Infantry, under 
Col. Withers, leave for the assay office at Parchuca, near the 
great mines of Real del Monte, about forty miles from here, 
to watch and see that the duties on silver bullion are promptly 
paid. I purchased a pair of Mexican spurs to take home to 
one of my friends. After which I walked around the city 
and viewed several public buildings, after that I left for San 
Angel. 

There is a splendid road from the city of Mexico to our 
quarters, shaded with fine, large trees. 

Wednesday, December 29, 1847. — This morning there was 
an American paper published in the city of Mexico, called the 
American Star. One of our members, named John Kritser, 
a printer, works on it. It is a neat and saucy little sheet. It 
says that the Mexican army, numbering about twenty thou- 
sand men, are at Queretaro fortifying it for our reception. 



432 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

This evening, on dress-parade, we had orders read to us 
that we would make a requisition on the Quartermaster for 
such clothing as was necessary for a march ; also that we 
would be mustered and inspected some day this week ; and, 
therefore, we should hold ourselves in readiness for the 
same. 

Thursday, December 30, 1847. — This morning Capt. Binder's 
Orderly Sergeant, named Hudtner, was missing, or was not at 
his post as usual. 

To-day Co. K, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
had an election for Second Lieutenant. One of the Sergeants 
of the company, and a private, named William F. Mann, of 
the same company, were the respective candidates ; and, after 
a little contest, it victoriously resulted in the choice of William 
F. Mann. 

Gen. Rea, the hero of Puebla, has published a flaming 
report, in which he gives an account of a Mexican victory at 
the battle of Huamantla. All like Gen. Santa Anna's reports. 
Gen. Rea don't know when he is whipped. 

A letter to George W. Bare. 

San Angel, near the city of Mexico, 
December 30, 1847. 

Friend George : — I hasten to drop you a few lines to let 
you know that I am still living and well in the land of the 
Aztec, and hope that this letter will find you enjoying good 
health. We left Puebla City on the 15th inst., and passed 
through a beautiful country, and arrived in this city on the 
20th instant. When we arrived in the city of Mexico the first 
thing I wanted to see was the halls of Montezumas, which 
you and I have heard so much about. It is an extraordinary 
large building. Here is where the Mexican Congress sets and 
makes laws for their nation ; and I have been informed, since 
my arrival, that during the revolution in this city, Gen. Santa 
Anna has had from twenty to twenty-fiv6 thousand troops 
quartered in this immense building, and some of the places 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 433 

still bear marks of the time, as its front is all defaced by 
cannon balls, grape and canister, musket balls, etc. Oh, I tell 
you, George, these Mexicans are a great people, but it takes 
us Yankees to drill them. We are now quartered in a large 
building at San Angel, six miles from the city, in the midst of 
splendid scenery. Among the sights are the famous volcanic 
mountains, Popocatepetl and Iscotafelt, the former occasionally 
throwing out smoke and ashes. 

When our army first came into this city it was impossible to 
get a lady to go to any place of amusement. They had been 
told so many stories about us, that they almost believed us to 
be barbarians, but now they go to the theatre or circus on 
evenings just the same as at home. They stroll through the 
Alameda Park as thoughtless as in Franklin or Washington 
squares in Philadelphia ; drive out on the pasco, play ten-pins, 
cricket, and a thousand other things so homelike that 
I sometimes forget that I am in the land of the Aztec, 
surrounded by enemies. If one could only get out of sight of 
the horde of loathsome leperos and greasers, who form two- 
thirds of the inhabitants of this city, Mexico would be in every 
sense an American city. You cannot enter a respectable hotel 
without meeting a number of foreigners. Laurents, Eagle, 
Union and Progress are of an evening like the St. Charles 
Hotel, of New Orleans. The best drive is on a Sunday after- 
noon, when you will see a general turnout of the wealth and 
fashion of the city. 

I spent my Christmas in the city of Mexico, and I find that 
a dinner can be gotten up here as well as at home, or any- 
where else in the United States. The markets are well sup- 
plied with fine meats, fish, fowl and vegetables, but no person's 
ambition seems to reach above a fine roasted turkey, with the 
fi.xtures and appurtenances properly belonging to it. I had 
the pleasure pf dining off a superb gobbler, stuffed with bread, 
and eggs, and 3 bunch of venison with apple sauce, in this 
benighted land of the Aztecs. Is this not evidence of the 
progress qf civilization ? While we were paying attention to 
28 ' " 



434 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

the substantials, we did not forget the egg-nogg, apple toddy, 
etc., which commanded a proportionate degree of respect and 
consideration, and I must confess that I was a Httle tipsy. 

George, when you receive this letter you will please show 
and read it to all my inquiring friends, and answer it as soon 
as you can, and give me all the particulars about the old Hoff- 
man school-house ; also give my love to all the pretty girls, 
the ugly ones need not apply. I have written a great many 
letters home but only received a few in return. Whether my 
friends have deserted me, or turned traitors against me is yet 
to be known, but I hope I will soon hear the result by the 
next mail from Vera Cruz. Your friend, J. J. O. 

Three Locks, five miles above Lezvistoivn, Pa. 

Friday, December 31, 1847. — This morning Capt. Binder, of 
Co. E, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, got permission 
from Col. F. M. Wynkoop to go in search of his Orderly, 
Sergt. Hudtner, who has been missing for several days, but 
soon returned without hearing or seeing anything of him. It 
is supposed the guerillas killed him and then threw his body 
in a ditch or amongst the polque bushes, which are very thick 
here. 

In the afternoon we formed and marched up to the main 
plaza of San Angel, and were there inspected and mustered into 
the United States service for the fourth time, by Capt. Joseph 
Hooker, Assistant Adjutant General, who won special laurels 
in the valley of Mexico as aide to Gen. Scott. 

In the evening a report came to our quarters that two of 
our men were found dead out at Contreras battle-ground. So 
Col. Jack Hays, with his mounted Texas Rangers, went out 
in pursuit of the guerillas, but returned without seeing any- 
thing of them. Late in the evening Co. K had all sorts of a 
frolic, in honor of the election of Wm. F. Mann, as lieutenant. 
This is the way the last day of the year 1847 is spent, now 
fast approaching its end, neyer again to have any more sport, 
frolic or battles in 1 847. We are now better than one year 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 435 

in the United States service, but few are left to tell the tale of 
the last year's campaign in Mexico. Good-bye 1847. 

Saturday ^January i, 1848. — This is the first morning in the 
new year. What shall I wish at the commencement of this 
year? Nothing more than I did one year ago. Health, 
strength and durable happiness, which, thank God, I am still 
enjoying. There is many a one no doubt wished themselves 
the same apisital this day one year ago, which will show by 
reference to my table, that are not living to wish a continuance 
in health, strength, etc. 

To-day one year ago our regiment numbered nearly one 
thousand strong, rank and file, and each company numbered 
nearly one hundred, rank and file, but now our regiment is 
only a skeleton regiment and companies skeleton companies. 
The nominal number of our regiment is a little over four hun- 
dred strong, each company numbering about forty or forty-five, 
rank and file. Our company (C) numbered, one year ago, 
ninety-five, rank and file, but this day numbers but forty-three 
men, rank and file. So most every regiment in the whole 
army in Mexico averages not more than half the nominal 
number of a regiment, and some of them have not more than 
three hundred soldiers each. No doubt a great many people 
think and wonder, who are not familiar with the arts of war, 
what has become of all these men. They surely could not all 
have fallen victims on the field of battle ; if so, the reports of 
killed and wounded have been falsely represented to the world. 
But let me enlighten your attention upon this very point. I 
am safe to say that not one-fourth have fallen a victim at the 
bloody hands of the Mexicans, but the most of them fell 
a victim of disease, contracted in this hot, tropical climate, 
while gallantly sustaining the glory of their country's cause. 
The wounded and debilitated, who have been fortunate enough 
to escape death, are discharged and sent to their homes, they 
being of no use in the army. 

At noon Col. F. ^s%. Wynkoop received information, through a 
Mexican friend f»f his, that Gen. Rea and the guerilla priest, 



486 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Padre Jarauta, were at Villa Tlalnepanatla, about fifteen miles 
fi-om here, recruiting for their guerilla forces. And that they 
were also a terror to all peaceable Mexicans within their 
reach. So Col. Wynkoop went to Gen. Scott and asked per- 
mission to go in pursuit of these highway robbers, which was 
granted. 

In the evening Col. Wynkoop left, with about forty Texan 
Rangers, under Lieuts. Daggett and Burk. All well mounted 
and armed. They intend to travel all night, or until they 
come across the priest. Padre Jarauta. People mostly say all 
clergymen and priests go to heaven, if Jarauta goes to heaven 
I am safe enough. 

It is now reported that Gen. Rea has left the above place 
and marched towards San Martin, on the National Road, with 
a small set of lancers ; but this must be incorrect, for Gen. 
Rea must surely be aware that Col. Harney is on the road to 
that place, and Gen. Rea is not going to burn his fingers 
again, after having lately been discomfitted by a smaller force 
than that accompanying the train. Among those who left us 
by the train was Passed- Midshipman Rogers, the luckiest of 
all prisoners, who will be remembered was captured previous to 
the landing of the United States troops at Vera Cruz. He is 
one of the most popular naval officers in the United States 
army. He was an aide to Gen. Scott during' all his engage- 
ments in the valley of Mexico. No doubt the tars will give 
him such a welcome that he will not soon forget. 

To-night an officer of one of the volunteer regiments, and a 
good soldier, too, determined to get up a magnificent testi- 
monial for his bravery. A company of his, or rather friends 
of his regiment having assembled, he arose and held in his 
left hand a sabre worth about three dollars, addressed himself 
in a short speech, and then received it in his right hand, and 
replied, "The ceremony is represented as having been im- 
posing in the extreme." We all took a hearty laugh over it. 

Sunday, January 2, 1848. — This morning most every 
member of our regiment is anxiously waiting for the stage to 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 437 

come from the city to hear how Col. Wynkoop and his party 
made out last night. Finally the stage arrived with the glad 
tidings of Col. Wynkoop's success. This soon caused con- 
siderable excitement around our quarters, and inquiries were 
made about Wynkoop's expedition last night. And I heard 
that the Colonel was successful in capturing two of the bravest 
officers in the Mexican army, Gen. Valincia and Col. Arreta. 
But those were not the officers that Col. Wynkoop went after, 
and promised to bring to Gen. Scott's headquarters, but on 
presenting them to Gen. Scott he said that he would take 
them in line, and gave Col. Wynkoop a receipt for the same. 
Col. Wynkoop went in pursuit of Padre Jarauta and Gen. 
Rea. When they arrived at Hacienda Tlalnepanatla they 
charged upon the villeta, but found no officers there. They 
were informed that Gen. Rea and Col. Jarauta, and their 
guerilla party, had left for Villa Toluca, or towards that 
direction, a i^t'^ hours previous to the arrival of Col. Wynkoop. 
The news of Col. Wynkoop going in pursuit of Jarauta and 
Rea was brought to them by one of their own spies. 

Col. Wynkoop soon learned that Gen. Valencia and staff 
were at a distant hacienda, some eighteen miles from that town. 
The Colonel immediately started off with his rangers and by hard 
riding in the night arrived at the hacienda, which they soon 
surrounaed, and demanded admittance into the house, which 
was at first refused. Col. Wynkoop, being determined to bring 
some officer to Gen. Scott, again demanded admittance, at the 
same time knocking against the doors. At this, Col. Silea, a 
wounded Mexican officer, and on parole, opened the door, and 
Col. Wynkoop demanded Gen. Valencia and all other Mexi- 
can officers in the Jiacienda not on parole ; but Col. Silea as- 
sured Col. Wynkoop that Gen. Valencia and all of liis staff had 
started away that day for Toluca. But Col. Wynkoop put no 
faith in Col. Silea's story, and demanded lights to go in and 
search the house, which was complied with, but he could find 
nothing of Gen. Valencia or either one of his staff. So Col. 
Wynkoop declared to Col. Silea that Gen. Valencia must be 



438 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

in this hacienda, and that he would not leave it without that 
officer, and that if Gen. Valencia would come forward and 
give himself up he (Valencia) would be safe and would be 
taken care of, and if he is in the building and refuses to give 
himself up, he (Col. Wynkoop) would not be answerable for 
his life. At this moment Gen. Valencia stepped up to the 
door and said, I am Gen. Valencia, and remarking that it was 
against the usage of civilized warfare to attack a man in his 
own Casa, in the peace and quietness of his family, in the dead 
hour of the night. Col. Wynkoop replied that, he deeply re- 
gretted that he had to disturb him, but it was the only way 
the Mexican officers could be captured. To this no reply was 
made, but the General dressed himself and of course followed 
Col. Wynkoop and his Texan Rangers, under Lieuts. Dag- 
gett and Burk, to the capital of Mexico. Col. Arreta, a mem- 
ber of Gen. Valencia's staff, was also captured with him. 

Gen. Scott considered Col. Wynkoop's expedition bold, 
gallant and daring, and considered his service, in a handsome 
and worthy manner, to the Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of 
War. 

Monday, January 3, 1848. — This morning James C. Taylor, 
familiarly called Zach., and myself went to the city. 

Col. Wynkoop and our officers are all on a big spree, in 
honor of Col. Wynkoop's successful capture of the Mexican 
officers. The Colonel, I noticed, was much lionized upon 
his success. 

We are enjoying splendid weather, no finer could be desired. 
The passo is now frequented every afternoon by hundreds of 
citizens. It is a delightful drive to Chapultepec, and it is 
well enjoyed. 

In the evening we left the city for San Angel, and arrived 
safe. Here it was reported that the New Yorkers had some of 
Capt. Binder's men over at a polque-hoxxse beating them. So 
a party of Capt. Binder's company armed themselves with all 
the weapons known in an indictment of an assault and battery, 
and proceeded to the scene of the outrage ; and had it not 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 439 

been for the officers interfering there would have been a very 
ugly time among the New Yorkers. 

To-day John F. Staunton, of Co. F, was appointed to act as 
Sergeant-Major of our regiment. 

Tuesday, January 4, 1848. — This morning it is perfectly 
delightful, with the temperature at some degree of comfort 
and pleasure. 

My friend Alburtus Welsh and myself took up our blankets 
and started for the polque grove, where we selected a suitable 
spot, and spread our blankets over the tops of the polque 
branches to keep the sun off our devoted heads. Here we 
sat and spent our time in writing letters for nearly three hours ; 
one of these letters was to my parents. 

Wednesday, January 5, 1848. — This morning, after break- 
fast, I started for the city. There I saw some of the Eleventh 
Regiment soldiers, Capt. Irwin's company, from Lewistown, 
Pa. They informed me that, within several weeks past, 
quite a large number of American soldiers, encamped around 
their camp, had deserted from the regular army in the city of 
Mexico, and had scattered throughout the country, intending 
to stay here. But if our army comes in contact with any of 
them on our next march they will be dealt with worse than 
the thirty-two that were caught in the valley, and all hung 
from the wagons. I fear they will receive no quarters from 
us, as we would rather draw the lead upon the deserters than 
the enemy. They tell me there are still midnight assassina- 
tions going on, in and about the city of Mexico ; and I fear it 
will not cease as long as our army remains in this country. 
After which I paid a visit to the markets, and I was astonished 
to see how regularly everything was done. I first entered the 
beef market, where everything can be got in the beef line. 
The beef was about as fine as any I have ever seen at home, 
or anywhere else close by. I came to the fish market, but 
that was trifling, comparing it with the fish market in Phila- 
delphia. The fish exposed for sale are about half a foot long, 
and resembles our fall fish. They sell for ;^i.oo per pound. 



440 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Also frogs are for sale ; some are yet alive, and others are 
cleaned, but they are only half as large as our's at home. 
Next I come to the volatcria gallineria (poultry market) and 
game. Here you can see plenty of turkeys, chickens and 
other wild fowl, such as ducks, pigeons, partridges, etc. 
Turkeys are selling from 40 cents to ;^i.50, according to the 
size; and chickens from 12^ to 37^ cents per head. The 
wild ducks are shot on the surrounding lakes, they are in 
splendid order, and sell from 18^ to 37^2 cents per pair; the 
black malard are preferable. The greatest curiosity is the 
hare, which is in this market for sale, and brings from ^1.75 to 
^2.00 a piece ; they are three times larger than our rabbits, 
which runs wild with us. The partridges, pheasants and 
pigeons, or doves, are rating from 37^ to 50 cents a pair. 
The fruta gallineria (fruit market) is impossible for me to 
describe, as they are composed of so many different kinds. 
Also the vegetables, for they are the same as at home, and ten 
thousand different kinds besides. Green corn and ripe apples 
at the same time. Eggs are very plenty, but butter and cheese 
cannot be seen in all Mexico, for they don't know how to 
make it. Potatoes, squashes and all other kind of eatables 
are plenty, and cheaper than they are in America. From here 
I went to the passo, or Alameda Park, where all the beautiful 
senoritas get themselves, and take a walk around the shady 
and flowery walks. There is a splendid, fine avenue for the 
equestrians, and is shaded with some of the finest and largest 
trees I ever saw. It is about one mile and a half, all the way 
around. This is truly a magnificent place for the citizens of the 
city of Mexico to refresh themselves, and is constantly 
crowded with all kinds of people, from the hidalgos to the 
ladroru's and lepcros gentlemen, to thiev^es and beggars. It is 
strange, since our army has settled itself here, the Mexican 
datnas (ladies) hardly associate with their own class of people. 
They want to go with us, saying Americanos imicho veniisto 
(Americans are beautiful) Mexicans nnicho fcaviente (Mexicans 
are ugly). They don't want anything to do with them. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 441 

To-night I stayed in the city with Capt. Irwin's company. 

Thursdixy, January d. i84cS. — This morning I was awakened 
by a great ringing of bells, and on inquiring of the cause of the 
Mexicans, I found out it was All Feasts' Day. So after break- 
fast I visited the Catholic Cathedral here. I saw the whole 
inside of the building, was strung with beautiful pictures and 
other costly paintings. The ceremonies were highly imposing. 
After spending several hours here, I went out and saw in the 
plaza soldiers ready to go on a march. I made inquiry and 
was informed that it was Gen. George Cadwalader's brigade, 
getting ready to march to Lerma and Toluca, the seat of the 
state capital, which is about forty miles from this city. I 
believe it is in direction of Pachuca, already occupied by the 
Ninth Infantry. They left with cheers for Lerma and Toluca. 
After I had seen them off I started for San Angel, and on the 
road I met a great number of leperos, ladrones and greasers, 
but they did not attempt to attack me for I had one of those 
shooting irons about me, exposed, which they don't like. 
However, I had not arrived at our quarters more than twenty 
minutes before one of the Texan Rangers came in, full gallop, 
reporting that the road above was full of guerillas, and had 
killed several of our men, who were coming from the city lo 
San Angel. Then you should seen the excitement among the 
soldiers. A party armed themselves with all the deadly 
weapons known in the art of warfare, went in pursuit of the 
guerillas, and they were not long gone before they started up a 
party of ladrones from a polque bush, but they would show no 
fight, and retreated ; but they had not gone far before the 
Texan Rangers, under Lieut. E M. Daggett, overtook them, 
and by the aid of their six-shooters laid some of the guerillas 
out. They kept up the chase until they had at least twenty laid 
dead and wounded on the road, and God only knows where it 
would have stopped at had not the dark evening stopped the 
chase. In this fight one of Co. B, First Regiment Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers, named John Douty, was killed, and two 
other soldiers severely wounded, not expected to live, and thus 



442 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

it plainly shows that the guerillas, ladrones and greasers lag 
along the side of the road among the mirage or cactus fences, 
and when they see one, or two of our soldiers unarmed, eight 
or ten of these ladrones instantly spring Irom these bushes, 
jump upon our men, kill and strip them stark naked, and 
then leave for their hiding place ; but they never gain any- 
thing by their cowardly acts, as we always kill eight or ten 
Mexicans where the Mexicans kill one of our men. But I 
am afraid, like all the outrages committed in this or any other 
country, the guilty ones escape and the innocent have to suffer. 

In the evening our Brig. Gen. Gushing issued orders that 
no soldiers shall leave their quarters. This is on account of 
some of our men getting killed to-day, and it is also rumored 
that Gen. Thomas Marshall's whole command is laying at 
Jalapa City, with the measles and diarrhoea. 

Friday, Ja?iiiary /, 1848. — This morning one of Co. D, First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, named Peter McKeever, 
was found dead in the guard-house. He took medicine, after 
which he drank liquor and died from the effects of it. 

At noon the poor unfortunate victim who fell by the bloody 
hands of the guerillas, yesterday, was buried near the quarters 
in a large apple and orange orchard. PI is funeral was largely 
attended by nearly our whole regiment. 

This afternoon another detachment left the city for Toluca, 
There are other posts to be occupied, but Gen. Scott is obliged 
to wait until further re-enforcements arrive from the States. 

San Angel, near the city of Mexico, \ 
January 7, 1848. / 

Worthy Parents : — I have no doubt you all thought that 
I had either forgotten you or had been victimized by a Mexi- 
can bullet, but thanks to God that I am still in the land of the 
living, and in as good, if not better health than the day I left 
Mifflin county. Pa. We are now quartered at San Angel, near 
the city, on the Acapulco road, but we do not know what mo- 
ment we may have to move, as it is rumored here that the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 443 

Mexicans are strongly fortifying Queretaro City and that they 
have an army of from twenty to twenty-five thousand men ; 
but this is nothing, for we have met them ten to our one, and 
we are ready to meet them again. The next movement that 
is to be made upon the enemy will be by our division ; it is to 
take the advance. So of course we, the advance, expect noth- 
ing more or less than some hard fighting, although you can 
easily anticipate the result. Who is to command the Mexican 
army in the next battle we do not know, nor do we care, but 
surely Gen. Santa Anna cannot face us without a blush of 
shame. I have seen the elephant, but if there is any more to 
be seen of him and work done, we will put our shoulders to 
the wheel and push until the work is thoroughly completed. 
Although many of our soldiers have left dependent and 
anxious wives and children and friends far behind, and if there 
is another battle to be fought we will go man to man, breast 
to breast, rather than yield one inch of ground. We have 
faced them at every stronghold they saw fit to make a stand 
and every time drove them out of their strong positions with 
enormous losses, and captured artillery and ammunition 
enough to equip a whole army. 

The city of Mexico is beyond dispute the finest and best 
built city that I have yet seen in this country, and it was one 
time considered the largest city of America, but Fernando 
Cortez's swords and torches and the number of revolutions, 
has caused it to be surpassed by either New York, Philadelphia, 
and even Rio Janiero. The city is surrounded by lakes 
Chalco and Tezueco, and also by the loftiest volcanic peaks, 
among these are the twin volcanos Popocatepetl, seventeen 
thousand three hundred feet high, and Iscotafelt, or the 
White Lady, fifteen thousand seven hundred feet high ; these 
mountains are covered with perpetual snow, and when the 
wind comes from that direction, it makes the air quite chilly 
at night. 

The police and highway departments in this city are better 
than any city north. The streets are well paved and cleaned, 
well lighted with some kind of oil. 



444 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The map tells us that this valley is elevated seven thousand 
six hundred and sixty-five feet above the level of the sea, yet 
it is surrounded within a few miles with the above-named lakes, 
and many years ago when a heavy rain would fall, it would be 
flooded and cause great destruction to life and property ; but 
this has been avoided by canals and large culverts. 

The weather in this section of the country is sometimes very 
unpleasant ; hot tropical sun in day time and cold at nights, 
and such a thing as a stove or fire-place is not to be seen in 
this country, they using altogether small furnaces, and char- 
coal being the only fuel consumed in Mexico. 

Most of our soldiers have passed their Christmas here as 
other days, performing picket and guard duty. For myself I 
cannot complain, as I lived almost as rich as if I was at home 
among you, but at the same I was wishing to have a little of 
poultry, buckwheat cakes and country sausage, of which you 
are indulging in at home. 

. There is all kinds of amusements going on here in the city, 
such as theatres, circus and bull fights. 

It also gives me pleasure to state, that nearly our whole 
regiment, (what is left of it), with the exception of the new 
recruits, are enjoying good health, and appear to be in fine 
spirits. A large number of the wounded and sick or debili- 
tated have been discharged lately, and are now on their way 
to sweet home-. 

As a large number of re-enforccments have arrived in the 
city, a number of the old troops have been sent to take posses- 
sion of the mines ; and also of Lcrnia and Toliica, and us 
Pennsylvanians, New York and Massachusetts regiments have 
been sent here until further orders. 

There is also a large public square near the city, called 
Alameda Park, which still (through all the revolution), retains 
its beauty; there is a wide avenue all around the passo, and 
the beautiful drive to Chapultepec, where hundreds of coaches 
filled with ladies and gentlemen, drive through and around 
this park to take the air and their pleasure. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 445 

It is intersected with splendid and well laid-out walks, 
well-shaded with fine large trees and flowers ; a beautiful 
fountain surrounded with ornaments, jets cTlaii. In fact, it is 
one of the greatest places for recreation in the city. 

If you want to see what kind of people the city of Mexico 
is composed of, all you have to do is to come to Alameda 
Park, here is where you can see the senors, scnorita?,, ladrones, 
blmikct-lcperos and canaille, gentlemen, ladies, pickpockets, 
thieves, beggars and rascals, the thieves and beggars are very 
numerous here. 

As I said in the beginning of my letter, that it is rumored 
we will soon march for Queretaro City ; so before this letter 
reaches you, the fight, (if there will be any), will be over, and 
if it should this time be my lot to fall, I hope it will be at the 
red-mouthed cannon, with feet to the foe, back to the earth, 
and face toward the canopy of heaven. Some may call this 
brave talk, but I just feel as I write; I don't want to come 
home and have the finger of scorn pointed at me as a coward, 
nor do I wish to come as a cripple. Oh, no ; I would rather 
be dead than to have my body mangled and shattered like I 
have seen some poor soldiers; some with both arms off, 
others xyith both legs off, and otherwise badly wounded ; rather 
kill me outright, at once, on the battle-field, than have the 
suffering hereafter. But I hope I will escape both. No more. 
But ever remain your son, 

J.J.O. 

P. S. — Before sealing your letter, it is reported that Col. 
F. M. Wynkoop, with a detachment of dragoons and Texan 
rangers, left the city of Mexico, in pursuit of Gen. Santa 
Anna. Poor Santa Anna, it seems hard that these infernal 
Yankees cannot leave him alone, or let him have a moment's 
peace, in his own dear native land. 

It is also rumored that he, (Gen. Santa Anna), is now trying 
to make his escape by going to some point or sea landing. 
If this is true. Gen. Santa Anna will not command the army 
again. J. J. O. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Bull fights in Mexico — visit to the castle chapultepec — 
alameda park the cypress trees — the catholic ca- 
thedral, its dimension, its idols and wealth the 

song of derry down tlascalla city and its ancient 

history the removal of gen. scott from his victori- 
ous army gen. wm. o. butler appointed in his place 

excitement among the soldiers — the anniversary of 
the mexican revolution, freeing themselves from 

THE SPANISH RULE GEN. WINFIELD SCOTT's LETTER OF 

GRIEVANCE TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR, HON. WILLIAM. L. 
MARCY, ETC., ETC. 

Saturday, January 8, 1848. — This morning Peter McKeever, 
of Co. D, was buried by his company, back of the guard-house. 
They marked his grave on a head-board. This being the an- 
niversary of the battle of New Orleans, most of our officers 
went to the city frolicing, and no doubt some good speeches 
were made. Many of them went over to the polqitc tub to 
drink polqiie, and also making fancy and patriotic speeches. 

To-night we witnessed a magnificent sight. It was that of 
an eruption of one ot the adjoining mountains. Owing to the 
darkness of the night we could not tell whether it was from 
the volcanic Popocatepetl or Iscotafelt. The throwing up of 
immenseamount of red hot lava, then running down the west side 
with blue and green lights, making a rumbling noise like so many 
running horses on a plank road. The whole was a beautiful 
sight and it was closely watched by all the soldiers. The 
scene will long be remembered. During the eruption the air 
smelt strong of sulphur. 

At dusk a party of Mexicans opposite our quarters had a 
ddiXXCQ, fandango, after which the hat went around for clacos. 
They danced what is called the regular Spanish National dance. 

Sunday^ January 9, 1848. — This morning a party of us got 
permission from Lieut. Haines to go to the city for the purpose 
(440) 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 447 

of going to the Plaza de Toros, which is the popular place of 
amusement in the city. We started, arrived in the city, paid 
our admittance fee, seated ourselves and looked on ; and it 
was really a curiosity to see the actors, or picadors, go through 
their performance. They were on horseback, and provided with 
a banderillos, some with a long spear, others with a small dart 
like a javelin, ornamented with ribbons, and intended to jade 
and infuriate the animals. The bulls were fine looking, with 
dilating horns, nostrils and wicked eyes. The picadors 
attacked them and hurled these banderillos at them. After 
being tantalized, turned upon the horse and destroyed him in 
a most horrible manner. After which the picador procured a 
fresh one, when the combat was renewed. The vast amphi- 
theatre was filled with an anxious, eager crowd. After it was 
over we went out, and walked about the city, making in- 
quiries when we were likely to leave for Queretaro City, but 
were unable to find out anything, except that our government 
at Washington was much harrassing Gen. Scott's movement, 
in not sending forward troops. 

Gen. Scott is now placed in the same position as he was 
before he left the city of Puebla for this city. 

I see by the official report that the whole strength of our 
army is 14,964; out of this number we only have 11,162 fit 
for duty ; the rest are sick with the diarrhoea, measles, etc. 
Think of it, a little over 1 1,000 men fit for duty in a hostile 
country. No wonder Gen. Scott is constantly finding fault 
with the cabinet officers at Washington. 

" Come Jimmy Polk and Billy Marcy send forward those 
troops you promised us long ago, so we can go on and take 
posession of this whole country." 

In the evening we left for San Angel. Nothing happened 
to us on the road. We met several ladroncs, but they said 
nothing to us, nor we to them. 

Monday^ January 10, 1848. — This morning most of our 
soldiers were kicking up a fuss, on account of the little rations 
we were getting. In fact, never have we been so scarce of 



448 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

rations as we are at the present time, and particularly when 
we are so regularly quartered, when in regular quarters we 
always had plenty to eat ; if it was not one thing it was 
another. So some went to Lieut.-Col. Black and complained 
about our shortness in grub. The bread we got for the day 
was all eaten up in one meal, and we must go without anything 
to eat, except those that have a little cash. They will, of 
course, purchase bread. 

To-day David Sullivan was shot at Tacubaya for desertion. 
He belonged to the regulars. 

This evening Col. Wynkoop and his party returned without 
finding old Santa Anna or anything else. 

Tuesday , January 1 1 , 1 848. — This morning there is still growl- 
ing about the shortness of our rations. At noon news came to 
our quarters that several dragoon companies and Col. Manuel 
Dominguez's spy company, came into the city of Mexico, bring- 
ing a small mail, exclusively for Gen. Scott and other high 
officers. So, of course, privates and corporals need not apply. 
I heard that Col. Dominguez had several fights with the Mexican 
troops, between this city and Puebla. One fight was near Rio 
Trio, where he charged with seventy men on a Mexican force 
of over two hundred cavalry, and after a battle was victorious, 
putting the Mexicans to flight by routing them, and succeeded 
in capturing a number of officers, among them are Gen. Minion 
and Gen. Terrojoir and several colonels, numbering in all five 
offices and forty-two lancers and two American deserters, all 
of which Col. Dominguez took back to Puebla, and there 
handed them over to our old friend Gov. Childs, commanding 
officer of that city. Col. Dominguez said that this was one of 
the most successful fights he yet had. He was highly com- 
plimented by Gen. Scott for his success. 

In the afternoon a party of us spent our time in writing 
letters among the polque bushes, and, for the first time, I wit- 
nessed the process of making polque. The Mexican makes an 
incision in the stalk and bores the heart out. The sap or fluid 
runs into the cup where the heart was cut out, and from here 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 449 

it is pumped out by a guard and then taken to the mill for that 
purpose, and goes through several processes, after which it 
becomes fit for use, and a power of it is used ; it is the favorite 
drink amongst all the Mexican people, and I see some of our 
Yankees are becoming used to it. 

In the evening Col. Jack Hays, with his Texan Rangers, 
went out in full strength, for what purpose I could not learn, 
as they keep all their expeditions very secret, but I suppose 
they are going in search of the old priest, Jarauta, who is 
lurking around these diggings. 

Wednesday , January 12, 1848. — This morning most all our 
soldiers are wondering where Col. Hays went to. At noon one 
of Co. H, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers named Smith 
Townly died, his disease was fever, and died quite unexpected. 

This afternoon several United States Quartermasters and 
a few Mexicans, owners of properties, visited our quarters and 
examined them, for the Mexicans have laid in heavy damages, 
done by us soldiers. I expect they want more than the whole 
property is worth ; they will no doubt be paid. 

Thursday, January 13, 1848. — This morning a party of us 
soldiers got permission from our officers to go to the city. 
After arriving in the city, we first visited San Cosme, or Cus- 
tom House ; the gates of Belen ; the citadel or Arsenal ; the 
aqueduct which leads from Chapultepec to the city ; the 
Alameda Park, and other public buildings around the city, 
and the famous Castle of Chapultepec, with its surroundings 
bearing many marks of the numerous revolutions of years 
gone by, and scars of the conflict of 1847. The walls are 
spotted with cannon-balls and bullet dents, everywhere. 

Having viewed all the relics of, in and around the castle, we 
then went on the battlement walls which overlooks the broad 
valley of Mexico. The view from this height is one of 
great extent and beauty, surrounded by the historic and lofty 
mountains. Looking southward we could plainly see our 
quarters, San Angel, the battle-fields of Contreras, San An- 
tonio, Churubusco and Cuyoacan, all surrounded by nature's 
29 



450 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

beautiful pictures. Ruins are. plenty and visible, all overgrown 
with wild flowers, bushes and creeping vines which gives a 
melancholy- and picturesque air to the scene. 

Polqiie plants and cactus literally covered the ground, and 
around and below can be seen the venerable cypress groves, 
said to have shaded the tribes of the Montezumas. 

Eastward runs the great aqueduct of San Cosme and Belen, 
along which our gallant little army of six thousand fought 
their way in the city, and pursued the flying army of Q&\\. 
Santa Anna. Here we can see gardens with the rarest of 
flowers and plants ; the ruby humming birds darting here and 
there on the flowers; fountains; the Aztec baths; caves, etc., 
all now sadly decayed. 

The Castle is two hundred and fifty feet above the plains of 
Mexico. No ruler could wish for a fairer spot than the lofty 
hill of Chapultepec. The cypress trees (mentioned above), 
are planted in regular rows and are magnificent, they no doubt 
shaded the tents of the Aztecs from the hot summer sun. 

The chief of all the forest trees is the tree of Montezuma, 
which has a mean circumference of forty-five feet, and towers 
far above the groves of which it is the acknowledged 
monarch. 

There are different authorities as to when and who first 
built this castle ; the theory is, that it was built by King Autcolt, 
Montezumas' father. It was built as a resort and lookout 
place for the rulers of Mexico. It is built of porphyry, marble 
and hard sand-stone, on a high rock. 

We left the castle, and on our return, we passed along the 
Paso through the garita (gate) picdad (piety), where the Mex- 
icans made the last bold stand in defending their city, but all 
no go, our American steel was too sharp for them; we returned 
and on our way, we stopped at the polque tub and had a good 
drink of the same. Here we saw five or six pig-skins tied up 
lying in the hot sun, the pig-skins looked like so many fi-esh 
dressed hogs' carcasses. 



452 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Returned to our quarters, and just in time for dress parade, 
and in time to save our reputation as truthful and obedient 
soldiers. 

To-day I mailed the following letter : 



'■} 



San Angel, near the city of Mexico, 
January 13, 1848. 

To Henry Strunk. 

Dear Friend : — It is with pleasure I take my pen in hand 
to inform you that I am well, and I know you all will be re- 
joiced when you receive this letter from one of your old 
schoolmates, now so far away from home, battling for our old 
flag, the Stars and Stripes, in this tierra calientes. 

From the present surroundings no one would believe that 
war or hostility had ever been raging between our soldiers and 
the Mexicans. We associate together and have many a social 
talk and party together, yet at the same time we are drilling 
and preparing for more war and to do bloody work. Although 
a large number of us are quite contented with what we have 
done, yet at the same time we are willing to go on so long as 
necessity requires it and our country demands it ; but I regret 
to state that our present Congress, now sitting in Washington, 
is not giving us soldiers much credit for our toilsome marches 
and glorious victories fought in this country. In place of 
legislating for the benefit of us soldiers in Mexico, they are 
wrangling about something else of no consequence whatever. 
They should cast their deliberations on those few brave hearts 
who first entered this hostile country of the Aztecs, with our 
brave Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Winfield Scott, and those 
who stood by the glorious Stars and Stripes until they were 
strongly and triumphantly planted ujion the halls of Monte- 
zumas. But we have reason to believe that our Congress will 
not forget us in the future, as we have done the work assigned 
to us so far, to suit the wishes of our employers, and are will- 
ing to go wherever our employers see fit to send us. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 453 

The Congress of the Republic of Mexico is at present seated 
at Queretaro City, and the news from that city is warlike and 
very boisterous, and it is said that the heads of the Mexican 
government are bragging, saying that there are fifty thousand 
Mexicans in this country who have not been licked and never 
will be licked Thus the Mexican Congress themselves ac- 
knowledge that the gallant little band that landed at Vera 
Cruz in March last, has whipped all the Mexicans with the ex- 
ception of fifty thousand. This ought to be satisfactory enough 
of what Gen. Scotfs army has done, and as soon as re-enforce- 
ments arrive from the United States, we will march on to those 
fifty thousand unwhipped Mexicans and whip them too. You 
no doubt, like a great many others, have heard and read a 
good deal about Mexico, and particularly about the city of 
Mexico. 

It is truly the most interesting city in this country. It fills a 
brilliant page in the history of that incomparable conquest of 
Cortez. 

After its capture by the Spaniards, it was the residence of 
the viceroys of New Spain (as it was then called), and it is now 
the residence of its President, Congress and Supreme Court. 

On approaching the city you behold one of the finest and 
most admirable views that can be brought before a human eye 
to see and it will never be forgotten by anyone that ever 
entered it No book's opinions of correspondence of tourists, 
that I ever read, can describe its romantic and magnificent 
sceneries The beautiful valley expands as far as the eye can 
reach Rich table-lands, with cultivated fields, and the city 
with its innumerable white domes and steeples. The snow- 
clad volcanos Popocatepetl and Iscotafelt, a little distance to 
the left, with all its grandeur and extent, is indescribable. 

Mexico (the Tennochtitlan of the old Mexicans), was 
formerly surrounded by lakes, and was a dirty, low and un- 
healthy city, more than half covered with water, mud and 
other unmentionables. 



454 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The Spaniards drained and laid it out in squares and regular 
streets ; built it up solid with neat, clean houses ; two and 
three stories high. Many of them are fine mansions, with 
beautiful murmuring fountains, adorned with jctc dc can, 
sparkling in the bright sun like brilliants. 

The grand Catholic cathedral — a monument of art, a model 
of architecture, in a Roman style. On the corner is set in the 
stone calendar of the ancient Aztec, together with the 
baptistry. 

The city is supplied with good and never-failing water, con- 
ducted in by an aqueduct from the Castle of Chapultepec, 
which fortress, on the 1 3th of September last, was stormed and 
captured by our gallant little army. 

Cortez, in 1521, previous to capturing the city of Mexico, 
cut and partly destroyed this aqueduct. After which he 
rebuilt it more substantially and perfect. 

The conquest of Mexico by Cortez has cost the Mexicans 
hundreds of thousands of lives. They were driven into their 
temple by droves, after which it was set on fire and all therein 
were burnt up alive. 

The conquest has done one good thing — it has put an end 
to the annual sacrifice of twenty thousand to twenty-five 
thousand human beings, whose hearts were torn out by the 
barbarous Aztec priests on the piedra stone or sacrificial 
block, which is still preserved and placed in the museum of 
this city. 

The Mexicans are celebrated for their fine leather work, 
the silver ornamental manufacture, their silk embroidery, gold 
and handsome jewelry. They are the most daring horsemen on 
this continent; they are in full national riding dress and trap- 
ping, and seated on a ^^400 to ;$5O0 silver-mounted saddle on 
a full blooded Mexican mustang. 

Mexico is a great place for all kinds of people and amuse- 
ments. In fact, it is spoken of as being one of the best show 
places known with the number of its population, which is about 
two hundred thousand. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 455 

There are, I think, seven theatres, including the Plaza d'Toro 
(Bull Pit). The principal theatres are the National, Santa 
Anna, some call it. The second theatre in size is the Iturbide. 
This theatre is devoted to opera comique. The National seats 
three thousand, with a parquet, four circles and a gallery. 
They are lighted with some kind of oil, gas not having been 
introduced in this country. 

I have read a great deal about Mexico, but I never read or 
heard of such temples and such fountains. What an Eden is 
this ? To see such palaces, such portals, such Alameda parks 
and a host of other things, and how little it is appreciated by 
the thousands who daily behold and enjoy its beauties. Gov- 
erned by good men and inhabited by an educated people, it 
would be the garden of the earth ; but, at the same time, of all 
this richness staring you in the face, I would particularly request 
all new comers from the United States to fill their pockets 
with good gold and silver, and a good supply of it, for we are 
suffering awfully, and in particular us privates and corporals. 

I see that Mr. Bensley's circus company has been augmented 
by a ballet and pantomime corps. It is pleasant place for 
passing an afternoon or evening for those who are in the city. 
The bull fights on Sundays are the best of the season ; Plaza 
de Toros is crowded, animals furious, niatadores ditto, bulls 
second best. I was at this place of amusement on Sunday last. 
It is over four hundred feet in diameter, with an area of three 
hundred feet, and sitting and standing room for from eight to ten 
thousand spectators. The assailants are called picadores, and 
are on horseback, provided with a spear. 

How odd it is and how odd it looks to see Mexicans and 
American soldiers mingling together in the streets and Ala- 
meda Passo, each observing every courtesy towards the other ; 
that is amongst the respectable class ; ladrones and lepcros our 
men don't associate with. In fact it seems strange how quickly 
the people have forgotten their former queer notions in regard 
to our barbarians towards one another. It is strange, indeed, 
but such is the fact. As I mentioned in my former letters, that 



456 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

when we first came into this country it was impossible to get 
acquainted with the ladies, but now they go to the theatre, 
circus, balls and other places of amusement and pleasurable 
time-killing, their faces gracing the occasion. No city under 
the starry tent of the Supreme General furnishes such a variety 
oi beldadz, beauty, as the city of Mexico, and it would be a sin 
were the dear angels to hide their bright eyes and sweet lips 
from so many gallant admirers of their sex as are to be found 
in the American army. 

There is an abundance of game, such as snipe, partridges, 
pheasants, pigeons, wild ducks and many other birds ; of fish 
there is very little in the market, and are very high in prices 
during Lent ; what there is of them are caught in the sur- 
rounding lakes of the city. 

The closing of all the liquor stores at 6 o'clock in the even- 
ing (as ordered by Gen. Scott), has already had an admirable 
effect. The order was absolutely necessary to prevent the 
midnight assassination of our soldiers, an occurrence by-the- 
by that was getting to be entirely too frequent. No Mexican, 
I believe, however inclined, will attempt to take the life of an 
American soldier when sober, for most all the men that have 
been assassinated have been beastly drunk. 

I have written a great deal longer letter than I first intended, 
but I shall now come to a close by saying that I am pretty 
well tired of soldiering. Yours, &c., J. J. O. 

H. Striink, Three Locks, Jive miles above Leivistoivn, Pa. 

Friday, January 14, 1848. — This morning there was a com- 
plete mutiny at our quarters among the soldiers, all on account 
of not getting enough to eat. Finally a Mexican came along 
with a imda (mule), loaded w'ith oranges and bread. At him 
our fellows made a regular charge and took all the poor Mex- 
ican had in his two panniers. The Mexican (or poor Indian 
as I was told he was), went to Gen. Cushing's quarters and 
complained of the outrage the soldiers had committed. So 
Gen. Gushing, who is a good-hearted fellow and has^^lenty of 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 457 

money, but knows very little of soldier tactics, put his hand in 
his pocket and pulled out twelve dollars and paid the Mex- 
ican for his orantjes and bread, and at the same time tell- 
ing him never to come by that way again with a load of bread ; 
if he did he, the Mexican, would have to abide by the conse- 
quences. 

At noon a report came to San Angel that Col. Jack Hays 
had returned with his detatchment of Rangers from an expe- 
dition in search of guerilla priest Jarauta. He had several 
skirmishes with the guerillas without the loss of any of his 
men, but killed and wounded from eight to ten of the guerillas, 
and believes that the old priest Jarauta was amongst the- 
wounded. It would be really a blessing if this old priest thief 
was out of the way. 

In the evening Col. Black received a note from Gen. (now 
Gov.) Butler in the city, to send a guard of several men on 
the road, to watch some of our soldiers, who intended to go 
down with the train to Vera Cruz, which is announced to leave 
to-morrow morning. This is a great insult to our men. I 
don't believe that there is a man in our regiment that would 
attempt to desert from his flag or leave us dishonorably, even 
if he could. The train will be accompanied by a squadron of 
dragoons and a howitzer battery, formerly attached to Gen. 
Riley's brigade. 

San Angel, near the city of Mexico, ~( 
January 14, 1848. j 

Harry Grabill, Earlvillc, Lancaster County, Pa., 

Dear Sir : — As the train which was announced to start 

some time since, will positively leave for Vera Cruz to-morrow, 

I thought I would write you a few lines before starting, 

although I can gather but little new news of any interest which 

can be relied upon. 

It is now nearly eight years since I left Lancaster county, 

which I have always admired and esteemed the dearest spot 

to me on God's earth. 



458 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

I like so much to call up the past, and brighten my memory 
of the many pleasant and happy days I have passed in 
Lancaster city and county. 

The first recollection of scenes and events in this world, 
were the spires and the ringing of church bells on the Sabbath 
day, in Lancaster. 

Even now, after the lapse of years that I have passed, I 
feel just as much interested in the progress of the city and 
county, and the prosperity of the people, as I did when I was 
one of you. Oh, how well do I recollect the scenes that I 
passed through at that time. 

I am not going to write anything about the battles fought 
and won, nor of our victorious marches, as I gave you them 
in my first letter, which I think you did not receive, for I 
learned since, that the train containing my letter as well as 
many others was robbed by the guerillas. 

At present we are encamped at San Angel, a small village, 
outside of the city of Mexico, but we know not what moment 
we will get orders to march. 

Madame Rumor with her thousand tongued instrument, is 
continually busy, sometimes bringing pleasure and joy to the 
bosom of the soldier, and then again suffering him to revel 
in his own gloomy reflections of disappointment. 

You can perceive by this letter, that we have not as yet 
taken up our line of march to Queretaro City, nor do we 
know (as I stated before), when we will be called upon to do so. 

The destination of the soldiers in time of war is very un- 
certain ; we may receive an order one day and have it counter- 
manded the next, the same as was the case with us before 
Gen. Scott left the city of Puebla for the city of Mexico ; we 
were ordered to march with the main army on to the capital, 
but was countermanded the next morning, leaving part of our 
regiment at Puebla as a garrison ; afterwards we were engaged 
partly with Gen. Santa Anna's army and the thieving guerillas, 
for over fifty days and nights. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 459 

The Mexicans claimed to be a Republic Government, but it 
is no Government of any progress or advancement; its history 
is full of war and bloodshed, superstition and arrogance, revo- 
lution upon revolution, and anarchy holds sway. There is con- 
stant discord among the people, and are only happy when 
their land is drenched with human blood. 

The city of Mexico is built in the great fertile valley of 
Mexico, and the regularity, breadth and cleanliness of the 
streets, and the extent of the squares and public buildings ; I 
have never seen any in the United States to compare with 
them. 

There are several other buildings, such as convents and 
private palaces, which are beautiful. 

The Academy of Fine Arts, or the National Museum, 
which was founded by Charles V in 155 i, is of great extent, 
and a magnificent building. It contains many rare curiosities 
and relics of the ancient Toltec, Aztec, etc. In the court-yard 
stands the quadrangle statue of Charles V. It is the work of 
Don Tolso, a native Mexican. It was the first equestrian 
statue cast in Mexico. It was cast in the city of Mexico in 
1803, and was first put in the main plaza, in front of the 
cathedral, and from there to the museum building. It is one 
of the finest statues I have ever seen. 

The Alameda Park is one the best resorting places I ever 
saw. It was, in 1593, enlarged and beautifully embellished 
with fountains, and surrounded with statues of liberty. The 
whole park is enclosed by a well-built wall of about ten feet 
high. 

I have no doubt you have read and, at the same time, 
wondered how our gallant little army, of nine thousand men, 
could descend into this valley, break through a line of almost 
impregnable batteries, and, in all the battles fought in this 
valley, defeat an enemy from thirty to thirty-five thousand 
strong. We took more than one hundred cannons, and over 
four thousand prisoners, and planted the glorious star-spangled 
banner on its capitol ; where, since the conquest of Fernando 



460 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Cor.tez, no strange flag had ever waved on this place; and, I 
beheve, as Gen. Scott said, that the war of masses have ended 
with the capturing of the city of Mexico. 

In fact Gen. Santa Anna is himself a fugitive, and knows not 
where to go for safety, as there are constantly scouting parties 
sent out in pursuit of him ; but, so far, has escaped the 
vigilancia (vigilance) of our pursuing officers. 

As I stated before the Congress of the Republic of Mexico 
has fled to Queretero City, which lies north of this city on 
the Zacatecas Road, where they expect to reassemble ; and, no 
doubt, elect a new President in the place of Santa Anna, and 
then either peace will be declared or else the war carried on 
with more vigor, and not stop until the whole country of 
Mexico surrenders up her authority to the United States. 

Gen. Scott has done a good act by imposing a heavy fine 
upon all gambling Jiclls and shops. A circumstance which 
will considerably thin the ranks of the army followers, who 
have been swelling about in fine broad-cloth, purchased with 
the hard-earned money of the poor soldiers, who are mostly 
enticed to go into these liells to get rid of their money. They arc 
what we might call the ladro)ics, a rascally class of beings ; and 
the soldiers can do much better without them. The soldiers 
does the fighting and guarding of these thieves, and the black 
legs does the plundering. But thank fortune they are taking 
the hint, or the tax is too heavy, for they are vajiiosing as fast 
as they can get off by the trains, and a good thing it is for 
them they do. 

Besides this, Gen. Scott has already levied a tax upon the 
different States here in Mexico, and has commenced disposing 
his soldiers all over the country to occupy the mining 
districts. 

This war must either soon be brought to a close or else it 
will be pushed to the greatest extremity. 

We are now employed in drilling in various ways once a 
day, which gives the soldiers a good appetite. In fact, too much 
so; for we cannot get half enough to eat. There is very little 



462 N0TF:S of the MEXICAN WAR 

sickness of any serious nature, considering our number, among 
us. We have learned fatigue, and are used to hardships of the 
severest kinds. Yet we may all feel the effects of it in after 
years, if we live that long. 

There are now two parties in Mexico, one party are the 
Piiras (Purity), headed by Don Valentine Gomaz Fairs, a 
'popular man among the middle class, and late Vice-President 
under Gen. Santa Anna. 

The other party is called Modcrados, headed and influenced 
by the Roman Catholic Church ; which, according to the 
language of an eminent writer, is the sworn foe to religious 
liberty, ecclesiastical or political. 

Mexico is no doubt one of the best places for an American 
to feel proud of his nationality, for he sees a deploring con- 
trast between the two nationalities. America is a progressive 
country, — a land of education, science, art, civilization and 
enlightenment. This poor, priest-ridden Mexico, with all her 
natural beauty, her ancient and historic volcanic mountains, 
and romantic valleys and lakes, — country that is in itself like 
a dream of terrestial beauty, but so hidden away from the ben- 
efits of progress and enlightenment by just such people as men- 
tioned. Oh, when will she awaken and rub the mist from her 
eyes? But there is a future for Mexico that is illumined by 
the fair hope of great possibilities. 

I will now come to a close by saying that tliis is the second 
letter I have written to you, but I have received no answer in 
return. In fact I have written many letters to my relatives 
and friends since I have been in the army, and received only 
a few in return, which makes me feel rather uneasy ; but I 
hope the next mail will relieve me. Give my respects to all 
inquiring friends and accept the same yourself 

Yours, &c., J. J. O. 

Saturday, January 15, 1848. — This morning I went to the 
city to see the train off; it started soon after I arrived for the 
city of Vera Cruz. This train is guarded by the Voltiguers' 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 463 

regiment and the howitzer battery, all under the command of 
Lieut.-Col. Colwell, of the Voltiguers. This train takes a 
number of discharged soldiers down, on their way home. AIsq 
a large mail accompanies this train, which I hope will arrive 
.safe at their respective stations. The American Circds Co., 
of Messrs. Kelly & Hamlin, formerly Binsley's, so well and 
favorably known to the American army, leaves with this train 
for Vera Cruz. They have been traveling with our army for 
a long time. It is their intention to proceed to South 
America, and of course their departure will be regretted b)- all 
of our soldiers. 

At noon I returned to our quarters. In the evening I noticed 
a party going down the road to watch for a loaded inula, but 
none came along, so they had to come back without any prize. 
While in the city I learned that Lieut.-Col. D. H. Miles, with 
thirteen hundred men, was attacked at Santa Fe, on this side 
of Vera Cruz. One of Col. Miles' dragoon companies was 
all cut up and three packed mules driven away or captured, 
and it was expected that the guerillas would make another 
attack upon him at Cerro Gordo. Col. Hughes, at Jalapa 
City, is ordered by Gen. Marshall to co-operate with Miles at 
Cerro Gordo. This is the worst defeat we have had yet. 

Sunday, January 1 6, 1848. — This morning several members 
of our company went out and plundered a few deserted ranches, 
and brought to quarters tables, chairs and all kinds of house- 
hold and kitchen furniture. However, it was not long before 
the Officer of the Guard went around to all the companies' 
quarters, and those comrades who were caught with any of 
the stolen articles, the officer had them put right into the 
guard-house. So it was a poor speculation after all. Our 
fellows succeeded in hiding their plunder in a little room and 
locked it up, so they escaped from going into the guard-house. 

In the evening there is a rumor, and I hope it may be true, 
that we will get paid off to-morrow or next day. It is ru- 
mored to-night that Gen. Santa Anna is lurking around a small 
town called Tehuacan, near Puebla Citv. 



464 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Monday, January 17, 1848. — This morning Lieut. Aquilla 
Haines, and Orderly-Sergt. Thomas Zeigle and Alburtus 
Welsh, left for the city of Mexico to draw the company's (C), 
money, but Lieut. Haines returned, stating that they did not 
get the money, on account of a mistake in the clothing ac- 
count; and that Sergt. Zeigle and Alburtus Welsh, staid in 
the city to rectify the mistake. So we are all disappointed in 
not getting our rocks. But some five or six companies of our 
regiment got paid off to-day, so they are in high glee. 

It is rumored, and I believe it is true, that there is not twenty 
thousand troops at Queretaro City. As reported, not more than 
four or five thousand, and that nearly the whole of Gen. Santa 
Anna's army have disbanded and deserted in despair, leaving 
nothing but fragments, such as guerillas and highway robbers, 
about two thousand strong, and wandering in different 
directions, without a magazine or a military chest, and living 
by robbing. 

Tuesday, Janua)-)' 18, 1848. — This morning all our men are 
looking with eager eyes for Sergt. Zeigle and Alburtus Welsh. 

Finally, at noon, they arrived with the money-bag, and soon 
all got paid off So we were all flush again. 

Mr. Welsh told me, that an expedition under Gen. Joe 
Lane, left the city of Mexico this morning at nine o'clock, in 
search of Gen. Santa Anna and the guerilla priest, Jarauta. 

The expedition is composed of Col. Jack Hays' mounted 
rangers and Col. Dominguez's spy company; Maj. Polk goes 
with Gen. Lane as an aide. They are also after Gen. Paredas, 
who is in the villa of Tulancingo. They will be absent several 
weeks. They take or go by Orazaba and Tlasculla roads. 

This evening the Mexican papers stated, that San Louis 
Potose, has declared against the present Government of 
Mexico, and that Gen. Santa Anna is on the point of resign- 
ing the Chief Magistracy and Commander-in-Chief of his scat- 
tered army, and is trying to make his escape to neutral Guata- 
mala. He has to hurry up before Gen. Lane gets hold of 
him or it will be too late to resio-n. But I think he smells the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 465 

mice, and that is the reason he wants to resign. Poor Santa, 
will have to leave his own dear native home again. 

To-night there are all sorts of fun at our quarters, singing, 
dancing and gambling. This is the fruits of getting paid off, 
and in a few days some of our men will be as poor as ever. 

Wednesday, January 19, 1848. — This morning nearly our 
whole regiment went to the city to get rid of their little hai-d- 
earned money. 

At noon I went over to Cuyoacan, which before Cortez's 
time contained about six thousand houses ; now it is nothing 
but a neat little village and plenty of ruins, all done by the 
sword and torches of Fernando Cortez, who professed to come 
with his Catholic priests to inspire new religion in this country, 
but which afterwards turned out to be nothing else but plun- 
der and destruction of the Mexicans' property, who refused to 
submit to bow to their cross or give up their gold. It is also 
the place where prominent citizens rescued and executed a 
man for alleging that the water would some day drown the 
city of Mexico, which afterwards, in 1446, proved true, by the 
surrounding lakes of Tezeuco,Chalco and Xochimilco beginning 
to swell into a tide which upset some of the houses. A voice 
was heard in the night, crying on the waters, " Children, your 
ruin is at hand, whither shall I carry you that you may not be 
lost." It was here where Conquerer Cortez celebrated his 
victory over the Mexicans by a grand festival. It was here 
where King or Emperor Guatimozin and the Cacique or Mayor 
of Tacubaya, (a bosom friend of the Emperor,) were put to 
the torture on burning coals of fire for refusing to reveal the 
lost treasury. The Emperor met his punishment with a 
smile, saying " How faithful these Spaniards are carrying out 
their promises to their captives." His companion, the Cacique, 
died upon the bed of burning coals. Emperor Guatimozin 
and some of his highest officers were afterwards hung on a 
limb of a tree, while on their way as prisoners to Honduras. 
Here, like in all other towns or cities, is an inborn of flowers. 
In fact Mexico is the greatest flower market in the world ; all 
30 



466 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

the year round the gardens bring forth brilHant blossoms. All 
historians who speak of the Mexicans, speak of their love 
of flowers as one of their principal characteristics. Nor has 
this trait diminished in the present generation from the days 
before the robber and cruel conquerer Cortez. All through 
these merciless times, when the Mexicans bore the heavy yoke 
under their violent masters, the Spaniards remained faithful to 
their love of flowers. 

After walking around among the regulars who are encamped 
here, we left for San Angel, satisfied at having seen one of the 
ancient towns of Mexico. 

I am informed this evening, that Gen. Scott presented to the 
First and Second Regiments Pennsylvania Volunteers, two 
silk State flags. To the First, for their' brilliant and heroic 
conduct during the long siege of Puebla City. To the Second, 
for gallant achievement at the gates of the city of Mexico. 
They were made by the ladies in the city ; the eagles are 
worked in needle-work. They are splendid flags and cost 
seven hundred and fifty dollars a piece. 

Thursday, January 20, 1848. — This morning an express 
came in from the coming train from Vera Cruz, stating that 
the train would be here in a few days ; also that the express 
rider was chased and fired upon several times by the guerillas. 

This evening, on dress-parade, orders were read for the com- 
manding officer of each company, not to let their soldiers go 
to the city, which caused laughter. 

Friday, January 21, 1848. — This morning as usual, and in 
spite of the strict orders issued last evening, nearly one-half 
of our regiment went 'to the city. In fact the business is so 
brisk that a company has started a new line of coaches, and 
instead of having mules attached to the stage, they have four 
splendid and spirited American and Mexican horses, with 
American drivers. They were well loaded with Uncle Sam's 
living freight, started off in American style, full gallop, and 
kept at it as far as I could see. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 467 

This afternoon, Gen. Thomas Marshall's train arrived in the 
city of Mexico, bringing over three thousand troops and 
a large train and mail from Vera Cruz. The General says 
that Col. D. H. Miles will be here in a (cw days with thirteen 
hundred troops, and the largest train that ever left Vera Cruz. 
The report of meeting with a disastrous defeat or repulse at 
Santa Fe, is all a hoax. Col. Miles, having fallen back one 
mile to a well posted position, and in doing so was compelled 
to leave two wagons sticking in the road behind him, which of 
course fell into the hands of the Mexicans, which caused a 
great huzza in the enemy's ranks. 

In the evening I noticed most all of our regiment who went 
to the city this morning are returning home in time for dress- 
parade. Some of the men were well loaded with luxurious 
vegetables, and some showed up a little tipsy. 

Sattirday, January 22, 1848. — This morning again nearly 
half of our regiment, rigged up fit to kill, preparing for the 
grand masquerade ball, which is to take place to-night at the 
Teatra de Nacional (or Santa Anna), in the city. 

At noon I noticed some of our officers were going to the 
city, and by their appearance it looks as if they also were go- 
ing to the masquerade ball, which are as numerous here as 
they are at New Orleans. 

This afternoon, John Newman and myself went into the 
manzan pomor (apple yard) and were surprised to see the 
inanzan (apple) so near ripe. They are not as large as our 
apples in the States. 

This evening there was a slim dress-parade on account of 
our men attending the masquerade ball. 

Sunday, January 21, 1848. — This day being Sunday, John 
Newman, Henry Rosco, of our company, and myself got per- 
mission from Lieut. Aquilla Haines to go to the city. We, of 
course, took the new American line of coaches. I seated 
myself on top with the driver, with whom I had a pleasant 
chat. He is an American, and hails from New York. He 
came to Mexico about ten years ago with a lot of Troy, N. Y., 



468 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

coaches. He has been driving stages through the different 
directions from this city to Toluca ; and, before the war, drove 
to Puebla City, and back. He tells me that his coach has been 
robbed more than fifty times, and that he never was hurt, 
except once ; that time he refused to stop, when the robbers 
fired, and then he was wounded in the arm. One passenger 
was killed, because he refused to give up his cash. 

After the stage was filled, and the fare (twenty-five 
cents) collected, the driver was ordered to go ; and off we went 
at a full gallop for about one mile, when he pulled in his 
horses, and went on at a slow trot. 

The scene through the valley we passed was beautiful with 
polque groves. Shrubs were chiefly of the cactus order, and 
the creeping vines tangled the thicket over the little stream. 
After we arrived in the Plaza de la Constitucion we went 
straight to the grand cathedral, which is the mother church of 
all Mexico. It is capable of holding over twenty-five thousand 
people. The dimensions of the cathedral is as follows : — From 
the north to the soutii is four hundred and twenty-six feet, 
from the east to the west is nearly five hundred feet ; the 
height of the roof is one hundred and seventy-five feet. It 
was finished in 1667, and cost over ;^2,000,ooo. 

On the west side of the corner is walled in the original 
Aztec calendar. It was cut off a block of basalt, weighing 
ovef twenty-five tons. Its diameter is nearly seven feet. It 
has been in this wall since August 13, 1790, a memorable day 
in Mexico, and it is supposed to date back as far as 1279. 
It is divided into three hundred and sixty-five days, with an 
interpolation of thirteen days for each cycle of fifty-two years. 
The stone is almost a perfect square in form. 

Inside the highest altar, raised from the elevated platform, 
exhibits a profusion of candlesticks, crosses, and other idol orna- 
ments of gold and silver. 

What St. Peter's is to Rome, what St. Paul's is to London, 
what Notre Dame is to Paris, the cathedral is to Mexico. It is 
the most popular resort of the Catholic faith that there is in this 
country. 




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6 - 

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470 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The other altar is surrounded with six large golden candle- 
sticks, over four feet high ; six large golden branches, with 
vases of the same size ; four smaller candlesticks of gold, six- 
teen inches high ; two golden censors, two golden utensils to 
sprinkle holy water, one golden cross, set with very precious 
stones, with pedestal and front pieces, also set with precious 
stones. The weight of the altar service is nearly five hundred 
pounds, and its value not less than ^200,000. 

It is also crowned by an image of the Virgin or of the 
Ascension. It is of solid gold, adorned with rich jewels. It 
is valued, including jewels, at from ^35,000 to ^40,000. The 
image of Conception is of solid silver, and is worth $62^. 
The silver lamp in front of the priest is gilded with pure gold ; 
it is magnificent ; it has fifty-four burners ; its height is twenty- 
two feet ; its circumference thirty feet, and is suspended by an 
iron chain and bolt. The lamp and fixtures is valued at ^120. 
The silver service of the cathedral are twelve chandeliers, 
twelve incense-boxes, twelve large branches, each seven feet 
high ; seventy-two silver cups and incense burners, ninety-six 
silver candlesticks, with their number of branches; three silver 
statues, one large silver closet, handsomely engraved for the 
deposit of holy things ; two lamp stands, with each four 
clusters of branches ; two large standard candlesticks, twenty 
silver candlesticks, besides a perfect wilderness of columns, 
statues, shrines and fonts, in the aisles of the church. 

The robes and other garments of the priesthood are of the 
richest and most costly description. They with the silver ser- 
vice of the church were the gifts of the Emperor Charles V, 
of Spain. After a hasty inspection of the interior, the rich 
paintings on the walls, and other curiosities in the church, we 
left, and at 3 o'clock, p, m., went to see the bull fights, which is 
the custom in this countr}', to go from church to a place of 
amusement. What a great religion to inspire among the 
heathen people. Here in the Plaza de Toros we saw a novel 
sight, of which some day when I have more time, I will write 
a description thereof After it was all over, we returned to 
San Angel, much pleased at the sights we saw at Plaza de Toros. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 471 

No dress-parade this evening. Had we known this before we 
left the city we would not have come to San Angel so soon ; 
we would have had a little more sport with the senoritas. 

Late this evening our men had nearly all returned from the 
city, and those who were at the grand masquerade ball speak 
of it in the highest praise as a grand success. 

Monday^ January 24, 1848. — This morning I noticed that 
there is not so much of a rush for the city as there has been. 
I guess the finances are running short amongst some of the 
boys. In fact I know of some who hadn't any money the 
second day after they were paid off All, all lost at the gambling 
tables, etc. 

At noon, Lieut.-Col. D. H. Miles arrived in the city of Mex- 
ico with the largest train that ever came in at any one time. 
His brigade consists of over thirteen hundred men, mostly 
regulars ; it also brings a large mail. I received several letters ; 
one from my old master, Henry Grabill, of Lancaster, Pa., 
and I assure you I was much gratified in receiving a letter 
from that section of the country. 

In the afternoon, friend Geo. Nightlinger and myself paid a 
visit to the once fortress of Churubusco. Here is where a 
bloody battle was fought, on the 20th of August last, when 
the gallant Col. P. M. Butler, of the South Carolina regiment, 
and many other noble soldiers were killed. We also visited 
Tct due Pont (bridge head), which was strongly erected on the 
main road, in front of the bridge, over Churubusco river or 
creek. Next we visited the convent church close by, which 
was strongly fortified; the wall of the church being pierced 
with two ranges of musketry. From here we went to San 
Pablo, where a company of one hundred Irish-American de- 
serters from our army, and commanded by that notorious Col. 
Thomas Reily, also a deserter from our army. Here they 
made one of the most daring and desperate defences than at 
any other place that our army ever came in contact with. The 
deserters were mostly all artillerymen, and handled their pieces 
well and fought like so many bulldogs. They several times 



472 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

tore down the white flag when hoisted by the real Mexicans, 
they knowing our way of drilling, which caused many of our 
soldiers to fall and kiss the dust. They were all captured, and 
our men were so enraged with madness that, had it not been 
for our officers, every deserter would have been bayoneted or 
shot dead upon the .spot. They were taken to San Angel by 
the Third United States Infantry, and in a few days after the 
arrival at the above place, the deserters were tried by court- 
martial, of which Col. Bennett Riley, of the Second United 
.States Infantry, and at that time in command of the Second 
Brigade, Second Division, was president. The finding of the 
court was, that all who had deserted before the war with Mex- 
ico, should be flogged and branded with the letter D on the 
right cheek, and all those who deserted after the war should be 
hanged. On September loth, the sentence of the court was 
carried out by the hanging of eight deserters and the flogging 
of Col. Riley and the rest. 

The eight were hanged in a field opposite the convent, or 
near the place where they were captured. They were con- 
veyed to their place of execution in four wagons, two in each 
wagon, with ropes around their necks, and their hands pinioned 
on their backs. They were driven under the cross-timber, 
erected for that special occasion. A detail from the rifle regi- 
ment guarded them and tied the ropes to the cross-timber. 
At a signal the drum beat, the teams started and left the eight 
deserters dangling in the air until they were dead. 

Next came the deserters. Col. Riley having deserted before 
the declaration of war, received fifty, some say sixty lashes ; 
the rest got from fifty to twenty-five lashes. The flogging was 
done by two Mexicans with mule whips. The other thirty- 
two deserters were hanged September 13th, at Miscoac. We 
returned to San Angel. 

Tuesday , January 25, i<S48. — This morning there is a rumor 
at San Angel that a move of part of our army is anticipated 
soon. The first move will be to Zacatecas, and from thence 
to San Luis de Potosi, for the purpose of opening commerce 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 473 

between Tampico and Zacatecas, which is about four hundred 
miles from here. This will be a long march ; but this is only 
a rumor. But a move will be made soon, unless there is some 
probability of peace which is at present much talked about. 

The last train from Vera Cruz brought us some recruits for 
the First and Second Regiments Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
also for the New York Regiment. They are fine, hardy look- 
ing men. We got only two for our company. 

Wednesday, Jaimaty 26, 1848. — This morning, a paper called 
the North Auicrica, published in the city of Mexico, contained 
an article' stating that the South Carolina Regiment (what is 
left of them) would be disbanded forthwith from the United 
States army. This news caused a great deal of dissatisfaction 
among other volunteer regiments, who served in the army as 
long as they did, and did as much service. 

This afternoon there is a rumor that the Peace Commission- 
ers have met and are considering Mr. N. P. Trist's propositions 
in regard to peace. Some doubt this rumor, but there must 
be something of that kind going on, from the fact of our re- 
maining at a stand still so long. I hope it may be true and 
give us an opportunity of going home. 

To-day Col. Clark with his Second Brigade left for Cuerua- 
vaco, about forty-five miles south from here, on the Acapulco 
road. I think it is to guard a silver mine and collect the duty 
on bars. Gen. Cushing to-day stopped the stage and put all 
the high privates out of the diligence and let the officers re- 
main in. This action has caused quite a fuss. 

Thursday ^ January 27, 1848. — This morning the peace news 
is great, and quite current, and every soldier that comes in 
from the city has something to tell of what he heard for 
a fact; and all about the peace proposition. The cry is 
peace, peace ; but there is no peace. There is also a rumor 
that Gen. Lane and his party had a fight near Orazaba, and 
succeeded in capturing Gen. Santa Anna; but I myself much 
doubt the story, for Gen. Santa Anna is too sharp a general to 
be caught so easy. In the evening Gen. Cushing rode past 



474 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

the quarters, and nearly all the soldiers mocked and hooted at 
him for stopping the stage, and putting all except the officers 
out. 

Friday, January 28, 1848. — This morning the peace pros- 
pect is up to blood-heat. At noon a blind Mexican boy came 
to our quarters, and played on the harp. It was delightful 
music, and well played. He played all the national airs of 
both nations. He played Gen. Santa Anna's favorite march, 
which is a splendid piece of music. Amongst the many pieces 
was Gen. Santa Anna's retreat after the battle of Cerro Gordo, 
to which he sang a song. Santa Anna's famous Onco Vestido 
(Little Pantaloons), which is really laughable, wound up with 
" Yankee Doodle," for which he received many picay?oies, and 
went away rejoicing. 

Saturday, Jamiary 29, 1848. — This morning it is reported 
that our peace commissioners have sent an express with des- 
patches to our Government at Washington with the olive 
branch, and also that we would be on our way home by the 
beginning of May. I really begin to think that there is some- 
thing going on in Denmark; the city papers are full of peace. 

Sunday, January 30, 1848. — This morning most of our 
soldiers were busy in fixing themselves up for the masquerade 
ball, which comes off to-night at the Nacional Theatre ; and 
as there will be no privates admitted, they borrowed some 
clothing from the Mexicans, and got officers' suits. The 
stopping of privates going to these places has caused a great 
deal of a fuss amongst our men, all through Gen. Cushing's 
orders. 

Monday, January 31, 1848. — This morning Gen. Gushing 
has stopped the stage-coach from running between San Angel 
and the city of Mexico. This is done to keep the soldiers 
from going to the city ; but this will not stop them, for they 
can go around our line and slip the sentinel, who don't care 
who goes to the city. This has caused another excitement 
among the boys. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 475 

At noon it was told that some of our regiment and the New 
Yorkers had stolen Gen. Cushing's horse last night from the 
quarters of the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

This evening an advertisement was out, " Strayed or stolen 
a Mexican mustang, belonging to the volunteer division. Any 
person or persons giving such information as will lead to his 
recovery will be entitled to a ride to the city and back." 

Signed, Gen. Gushing. 

Everyone that read this went away with a hearty laugh, 
saying it was a pity that they didn't steal the General. The 
cry is, " Who stole the horse ? " 

Tjtesday, Fcbniaty i, 1848. — This morning most every 
soldier is cursing Gen. Gushing for stopping the diligence. 

At noon sev^eral of the South Carolinaians and Ne\v Yorkers 
were arrested for being co«,cerned in putting away Gen. 
Cushing's horse. 

The city papers to-day are full of peace, and Lieut.-Col. 
S. W. Black told us that we would be on our way home in less 
than two months. 

Wednesday, February 2, 1848. — This morning Alburtus 
Welsh and myself went over to Miscoac, a small village, about 
three miles from San Angel, and about the same distance from 
the city. Here is where Col. W. S. Harney hung the balance 
of the thirty-two Irish-American deserters, who were captured at 
Churubusco. They were executed on the 13th of September, 
the day the battle of Chapultepec was fought. As soon as 
the Castle fell, and our flag triumphantly swung over its strong 
fortress, Col. Harney told the deserters to cast their eyes 
toward the Castle of Chapultepec, and once more look upon 
our glorious flag that they had deserted. After which they 
were all hung on crosses already erected. 

In an outskirt of the town we found the regulars were 
quartered, and everything around their quarters was neat and 
clean, and are kept very strict in discipline. 

In walking around I was surprised to see the following piece 
of poetry posted up against a tree, which sentiments, I believe, 
are mostly true, as follows : — 



476 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Come all Yankee soldiers, give ear to my song, 

It is a short ditty, it will not keep you long ; 

It is of no use to fret, on account of our luck, 

We can laugh, drink, and sing yet in spite of the buck. 

Derry down. 

Sergeant buck him and gag him, our officers cry, 
For each triffling offence which they happen to spy, 
Till with bucking and gagging of Dick, Tom, Pat and Bill, 
Faith, the Mexican's ranks they have helped to fill. 

Derry down. 

The treatment they give us, as all of us know, 
Is bucking and gagging for whipping the foe ; 
They buck and gag us for malice or spite. 
But they are glad to release us when going to fight. 

Derry do7vn. 

A poor soldier tied up in the hot sun or rain. 
With a gag in his mouth till he is tortured with pain, 
Why I'm blessed if the eagle, we wear on our flag. 
In its claws couldn't carry a buck and a gag. 

Derry down. 

After copying the above piece of poetry, or song, we left for 
San Angel. In front of our quarters our company was formed 
into line, when one of our members took a drawing of our 
company and quarters. The intention is to have it litho- 
graphed in Philadelphia, Pa. 

This evening the whole conversation is about peace, and that 
we all would be on our way home before long. 

Thursday, Fcbrttary 3, 1848. — This morning the whole talk- 
is about peace, peace. At noon news came from the city 
stating that the peace project has been signed by Mr. Trist and 
the Mexican Commissioners at Guadaloupa yesterday, and 
that Mr. Trist is now on his way to Washington ; and if our 
Government accepts it, we will be on our way home in two 
months, for it takes some time to go and come from Washing- 
ton. I now believe that we will have no more fighting in this 
country. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 477 

Friday, February 4, 1848. — This morning, as usual, the talk 
is all about peace, and no doubt that it will be accepted by our 
Government. Woe to the senator that will vote against it. 
There is a report, but I place no confidence in it, that two 
junior officers of our army demand the recall of Gen. Win- 
field Scott from his army in Mexico, which report is causing 
a little excitement amongst the officers and soldiers. In the 
evening it rained very hard. This is the first rain since we 
are at San Angel, nearly two months, yet the Churubusco 
River did not show any signs of getting lower ; but of course it 
mostly all comes from the mountains, which are covered with 
snow the whole year around, 

San Angel, Mexico, ) 
February 4, 1848. J 

My Most Worthy Friend, Samuel Horning: — I feel 
extremely happy in stating that I received your long-looked- 
for letter a few days ago, stating that you and your family 
were all well. 

We arrived in the city of Mexico on the 20th December 
last, under command of Gen. William O. Butler, whom I came 
with from the city of Puebla. The city of Mexico is one of 
the many cities you and myself often read about in the geo- 
graphy and histories, and it is truly a great place. There has 
been great rumors in and about the city of Mexico in reference 
to peace. Some have it that peace is made ; others have it 
that peace commissioners have gone on to Washington city ; 
and thus we have it up and down every day — peace and war 
alternately. But believe nothing you hear from this city at 
the present time on this peace subject, for I assure you no one, 
unless it is General Scott or Nicholas P. Trist, knows anything 
more about it than the man in the moon; and these two 
gentlemen are exceedingly cautious in everything relating to 
the movements in the army, and everything connected with it. 
The nearest that I can come to the present state of affairs is 
from a Mexican paper, published at Queretaro City, which 



478 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

informs us that there has been no treaty concluded ; but he 
adds, the whole subject rests with the United States Govern- 
ment. The Government of Mexico is willing to make a treaty 
on a fair scale, and are prepared to go to work, and they think 
that they are strong enough to sustain it. 

I find many of the most influential men in the republic of 
Mexico, who have heretofore been violently opposed to the 
making of peace, are now advocating a treaty strongly. The 
persons who formerly belonged to the government are perfectly 
prostrate. Their influence is actually nothing on either side 
of the scale. 

The Mexican Congress has not yet met at Queretaro City, 
at the latest date from there, but it was expected there would 
be a full meeting by the 20th of March next. Then, and not 
until then will we hear what will be done. The Mexicans 
must make peace or else our troops will invade this whole 
country and drive the Mexican Congress into the Pacific 
Ocean. But then, when will this war cease, is a question 
often asked, but no definite answer can fairly be given ; but 
my humble and no account opinion is, that many more men 
must be sacrificed and many more widows and orphans made 
before this war is ended. 

Now, as regards to business which is carried on here, and 
of which you made particular inquiry in regard to its appear- 
ances and prospects. In the first place there is no such bright 
and cheering prospects of continuance of business as there is 
in Philadelphia or New Orleans cities. There are no bales, 
boxes, crates, casks, cases, packages, large or small, of every 
variety, crowding the pavements along the whole business 
throughfares. There is no such harsh sound of the packer's 
hammer, and the bustle and confusion attending a delivery of 
numberless packages of goods. There is no such calling off 
and charging of articles purchased ; no hurrying of clerks and 
assistants of every kind, in the getting out and bundling up 
of goods to have them ready to send away. There is no such 
loud cries of the employers to the employed, to make all haste, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 479 

and there is no such rattlins^ of heavy articles as they pour in 
at the front door. There is no such scenes in all this city of 
the Aztecs as they are in our cities in the United States. 

But again, the city of Mexico in its prominent aspects is a 
striking and attractive capital. Its architecture, and particu- 
larly in its churches and public edifices, cannot fail to impress 
the stranger. Its beautiful and spacious streets ; its open 
plaza, flanked on one side by the Cathedral, on the other side 
by the ample proportioned palace or halls of the Montezumas ; 
its beautiful and charming Alameda Park, with its shady and 
flowered avenues and winding walks, together with its far 
reaching smoothly graded passo, where beauty and chivalry 
daily meet, vieing with each other in richness of display and 
genuine courtesy, are all most inviting and imposing. 

There are in our camp and in the city of Mexico a great 
many blacklegs from New York, New Orleans, Philadelphia 
and other cities. Faro tables are plenty enough and seem to 
be thronged with customers. The billiard saloons are here, 
too, and roulette tables are plenty enough, and everything in 
fact to carry on the damning vice of gambling. The shops in 
the towns and cities are mostly kept by women, and I enter- 
tain myself sometimes when in town in walking around 
and dropping into these shops ogling pretty black-eyed 
scnoritas. I don't wish for you to understand by me saying 
dropping into these gambling hells, that I take an interest in 
playing these damning vices. Nay, not at all, for I never did 
attempt to play more than once, and that time the blacklegs 
broke me in less than twenty minutes, after which I left in 
disgust and swore that I would sin no more, nor follow this 
kind of business. But enough of this, and I will come to a 
close by saying that we have fine and healthy quarters, in full 
view of the volcanic mountains. 

If words were balls and gas were powder, 

I pledge the price of my bandanna 

That I would sooner be home, eating buckwheat cakes and sausage, 

Than fighting General Anton Lopez de Santa Anna. 

Yours, &c., J. J. O. 

Mc 1 \'j'/07vn, ]\nfflin county, Pa. 



480 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Saturday, February 5, 1848. — Last night's rain had the effect 
of cooling and purifying the atmosphere to a temperature that 
is perfectly delightful ; and, no doubt, will bring great relief to 
those who have been afflicted with the mumps and measles, 
but the most of our men are complaining of the erysipelas. 

No news of peace to-day. " What has become of it ? " 
Answer, " Why, it is on its way to Washington." 

This afternoon one of our members took another drawing 
of our quarters at San Angel. His intention is to have it 
lithographed in Philadelphia, Pa. 

Sunday, Februaiy 6, 1848. — This morning Gen. Lane and 
his party came back from their expedition to Orazaba, and 
reported that they did not see anything of Gen. Santa Anna ; 
although they were only two hours behind him, and would 
have captured him had not a Mexican carried the news in 
Lane's advance, telling Santa Anna that the Yankees were 
after him, and for him to fly for safety, which Santa Anna did, 
and nothing has been heard of old Santa since. 

Gen. Lane was also after Gen. Paredes, who was in the z'i//a 
(town) of Tulancingo. They were in hot pursuit of Gen. 
Paredes. Their horses fell down and died in the road leading 
to Tulancingo, ridden to death ; but they did not capture Gen. 
Paredes, but his brother ; they say, it was one of the most rapid 
and fatiguing marches of the war. Gen. Lane, on his return, 
went by the way of Tlascalla, once the ancient capital of 
the Tlascallaian tribe, where he was informed that the banner 
of Cortez, the renowned conquerer of the Aztecs, was at the 
Palace of Tlascalla. When they arrived at Tlascalla City they 
were told that the Cortez banner, which was the first Spanish 
banner that ever waved in this country, was safely deposited in 
a church on top of a high hill. Gen. Lane started for the 
temple, and had the relic in his hand, and was about to bring 
it with him as a trophy of the present war, but the Mayor, or 
Alcalda, of Tlascalla, and the priests of the churches in town, 
plead and begged for Gen. Lane not to take it from the Villa 
Tlascalla, as it was here where Fernando Cortez placed it for 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 481 

safety, and has remained here during all the revolutions of 
Mexico without being disturbed. So the banner was left in its 
ancient palace. 

The Tlascallaians, mentioned above, are a part of the people 
who split from the original Mexicans. They took a dislike in 
warding the city of Tenustitun, now Mexico. They made the 
divisions, or wards, to suit a certain class of political people, 
which occasioned a great dislike and dissatisfaction among a 
people called Papolucans, or Tepeacans ; they being entirely dis- 
satisfied with the proceedings deserted the city. They marched 
along the lake and arrived and settled themseves in a rich and 
fertile valley called Tlascalla, and chose the Tlascallaians for 
their rulers, protectionists, and entertained bitter and hostile 
feelings against their own countrymen, who wrong them so 
much. They afterwards got to be a people of great power, 
and were much feared by the Mexicans. They also were 
great man-eaters, and not only eat the flesh of their enemies, 
but hung it up to be dried, and sold the same as dried beef 

The city of Tlascalla was considerable enlarged, and ^ 
powerful city, and it was their capital. 

Monday, February 7, 1848. — This morning the city papers 
issued an extra, stating that James K. Polk, President of the 
United States, had recalled Major-General Winfield Scott, 
and Generals Worth, Pillow, and Colonel James Duncan, to 
undergo a court-martial. These proceedings have created a 
great deal of excitement amongst the Mexican rulers, and in 
particular amongst our ow^"^ troops, who call it a high-handed, 
outrageous and shamef^l ^ct to drag Gen. Scott from his high 
command and make l^iqi a prisoner in the very capital which 
his own generalship and valor had won. You could hear 
some soldiers say, if Gen. Scott is to be withdrawn from us, 
they will not m^rph another step towards the enemy. Gen. 
Scott was our general first, and shall be to the last ; and 
that this has all been done through a political and jealous 
feeling at the l:\eads of our Government to check his (Gen. 
Scott's) glofiQU^ fipd fair fame. 
31 



482 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Tuesday, February 8, 1848. — This morning all the talk is 
changed from peace to and about the removal of Gen. Scott. 
In fact, I should not be surprised to hear the Mexicans cry 
more war than peace, for they generally were much afraid of 
Gen. Scott, for they know full well that when he comes the 
Mexicans must give way. If there should be any more war, I 
wouldn't be surprised that the American army will be defeated, 
for the soldiers have not the same enthusiasm, trusty and 
confident feelings as they had under Gen. Scott. In the 
evening some of the volunteers are holding meetings to ex- 
press their feeling and sympathy, and are raising contributions 
to present James K. Polk with a leather medal. 

Wednesday, February 9, 1848. — This morning I partly spent 
my time in writing letters, so as to have them ready for the 
next train. The city papers are full about the removal of Gen. 
Scott from his high command, and dragging him from his 
gallant little army, as a prisoner, which he so well commanded. 
At noon a party of us got permission to go to San Antonio, 
San Augustine and Contreras. The roads which pass through 
these villages are generally kind of marshy and rough, covered 
with pedrigal or lava stone broken roughly, but San Antonio 
lays on a little hill, and has all the command for defences. 
During the fight, the Mexicans had seven batteries, mounted 
with twenty-one cannons and strong breastwork for their 
infantry. The battle was fought and victoriously won August 
19 and 20, 1847. Next we visited San Augustine, another 
village well situated to oppose an army. From here we went 
to Contreras. Here a battle was fought on the 20th of August, 
the same day or evening that San Augustine was fought. The 
total strength of our army engaged in this battle was four 
thousand five hundred soldiers, against the Mexican force of 
seven thousand, under the command of Gen. Valencia, and 
backed by Gen. Santa Anna in person with twelve thousand 
troops, making nineteen thousand troops of the enemy in the 
field against four thousand five hundred Americans ; and, as 
a fellow says, the battle was fought and triurpphantly won, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 483 

killing over seven hundred of the Mexicans ; eight hundred 
prisoners, including four generals and nearly one hundred 
other officers ; besides many colors and twenty-two pieces of 
brass artillery, thousands of small arms and any quantity of 
ammunition, and nearly eight hundred pack mules and horses, 
all captured at this battle ; and now, for doing all this work, 
our Government goes to work, and removes Gen. Scott. 
Shame ! 

TJmrsday, February lO, 1848. — This morning the talk is still 
about the superseding of Gen. Scott, and about the capabili- 
ties of his successor, Gen. W. O. Butler. 

At noon several of us paid a visit to Ventade village, Ciiyoa- 
can. Here is where Gen. Scott was met by the Mexicans with 
a proposition of an armistice, which was at first rejected ; but 
Gen. Scott reconsidered it and said if we car> make peace or 
come to any kind of treaty, well and good, that too much 
blood has already been shed in this war. But they could not 
agree, so the fight went on. 

The regulars here are more grieved about the removal of 
Gen. Scott than the volunteers. They are more attached to and 
idolized Gen. Scott more than any other soldier in the army. 
They say they don't like Gen. Butler, simply because that he 
is no regular soldier, and is nothing but some old banished 
politician. They want the man that they started with and led 
them from Vera Cruz to this city, with so small a force and 
such signal success. Give us Gen. Scott, our old commander. 

Friday ^ February 11, 1848 — This morning a court-martial 
set in San Angel to try several of the members of the New 
York and South Carolir^a regiments for stealing Gen. Cush- 
ing's horse, some two \veeks ago. They are not exactly to be 
tried for stealing t^ie horse, but they were on guard at the 
same time the hofse was stolen and are accused of aiding in 
taking him away, I believe this to be the fact myself, but of 
course I will no^ say so, 

Saturday, February 12, 1848. — This morning one of Co. G, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, named Thomas 



484 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Karr, was sent to the Castle of Chapultepec for striking some 
petty officer in the city. He is to be confined during the war, 
forfeit all his pay and allowance due him, and to be dishonor- 
ably discharged at the termination of this war, and also to 
wear a ball and chain weighing twenty pounds, and his head 
shaved close. This has been the hardest sentence of a vol- 
unteer that I ever heard tell of It has created a great sensa- 
tion and murmuring among the volunteers. 

Sunday, February 13, 1848. — This morning the general talk 
or conversation among the men is about the removal of Gen. 
Scott and the severe sentence of the poor old man, Thomas 
Karr. 

At noon John Kritser, of our company, and James A. Saw- 
yer, of Co. H, both printers and working on the American 
Star, called to see us, and by their appearance and genteel 
looks the printing business must agree with them, for they 
both looked remarkable well. Mr. Kritser said the report of 
the removal of Gen. Scott was true. 

Monday, February 14, 1848. — This morning I went to the 
city and partook of a good dinner at the Socida del Progress, 
after which I took a walk around the city and visited the Na- 
tional Palace, of which Capt. Charles Naylor, of the Second 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, is now Governor. From 
here I went to Tacubaya and visited the Archiepiscopal Palace 
of Mexico. Here is where Gen. Scott made his headquarters 
during the battles around and in the city of Mexico Tacubaya, 
before the Conqueror Cortez's time, was a large and powerful 
city ; it is a fine city yet. Here is where the people prophe- 
sied, before ever hearing of Cortez coming, that a strange 
people were coming to destroy their government and to take 
possession of the Mexican Dominion, and for making this as- 
sertion King Montezumas put them all to death. The prophecy 
afterwards proved to become true by the Conqueror Cortez 
subduing their government. 

This place is guarded by the regulars, and like their brother 
soldiers at Cuyoacan are much mqrtified at the stain cast upon 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 485 

our old hero. They asked me who Gen. Butler is and where 
does he came from. I could not answer. 

In the evening I left for San Angel, all safe and sound. 

Tuesday, February 15, 1848. — This morning it is reported 
that Gen. Scott has received no communication from either the 
President or Secretary Marcy in regard to his (Gen. Scott's) 
removal. All he knows is from what is published in the news- 
papers, and it is hoped that the reports of the removal may 
yet turn out to be false. But, as the fellow said, where there 
is smoke there is fire, and seeing that the President and his 
Secretary, William L. Marcy, have been firing into Gen. Scott's 
rear ever since he left Vera Cruz, and failing in having Gen. 
Scott and his little army either killed or driven back into the 
Gulf of Mexico, the likelihood of his removal may be too 
true, to make room for another General, but not a better one. 

Gen. Andrew Jackson, though seldom wrong, was not very 
mealy mouthed in his language towards those who crossed his 
path of duty. The people supported and justified him, and so 
the people will justify Gen. Scott. 

At noon we had some tall performance by Sergt. Zeigle and 
Corp. Peter Ahl, of First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Wednesday, February 16, 1848. — -This morning a party 
started out scouting on their own hook, they had not gone far 
before they came upon the dead body of a United States 
soldier, which turned out to be Mr. Barkley, of Co. B, First 
Regiment Penn.sylvania Volunteers, who has been missing 
from his quarters for several days. They brought him along, 
and turned him over to his company. After which they 
buried him. 

To-day the court-martial is sitting, and the most important 
case was that of a deserter of the Massachusetts regiment. 
They found him guilty, with the sentence that he be drummed 
out of the United States service to-morrow. The only thing 
that saved him from being shot was that he proved that he, 
the prisoner, had been harshly dealt with by some of his petty 
officers, and that he would not take up arms against his 
brother soldiers of the United States. 



486 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN- WAR. 

TJiursday, February 17, 1848. — This morning it is rumored 
that Gen. Cadwallader is surrounded, at Toluco, by Gen. 
Alvezes, with eight thousand troops. But I think this is all 
moonshine. I don't believe that there are eight thousand 
Mexican troops in all Mexico. 

At noon the Massachusetts soldier, who was sentenced 
yesterday, was drummed out of the United States service for 
desertion. He was taken from the guard-house and placed in 
front of the drummer and fiifer, and a file of soldiers on each 
side. After which, they started off playing the Rogue's 
March until they came to the outer picket-guards, when they 
halted with the music ; and left him go to wander wherever he 
wished to go. 

Friday, February 18, 1848.' — This morning it is rumored 
that the President of the United States has disapproved the 
charges brought against Gens. Worth, Pillow and Col. Duncan, 
by Gen. Scott ; and has restored them to their respective 
positions, and that Gen. Scott is to go before the Court of 
Inquiry, at Puebla, to answer the charge for daring to enforce 
discipline in his army against certain'of his subordinate officers. 
This is what some might call an impartial trial, discharging 
the subordinate party without trial, and trying the Commander. 
This has again caused a great deal of excitement among the 
soldiers. 

At noon Joseph L. Parker, Orderly Sergeant, of Co. G, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, came to our quarters. 
He is direct from Philadelphia, having had leave on a furlough. 
He went from Jalapa City. Sergt. Parker gives us glorious 
news from old Pennsylvania ; and, particular, from Phila- 
delphia. He came in company with ten others from Vera 
Cruz. 

Saturday, February 19, 1848. — This morning we have the 
official report of Gen. Scott relieved from command of the 
army, and devolving the whole command to Major-General 
William O. Butler, a volunteer general ; also the releasing of 
Generals Worth and Cerro Gordo Pillow, and Col. Duncan 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. ' 487 

from arrest, and restoring them to their command. Thus, 
Gen. Scott is to be tried for doing his duty by his junior 
officers in the very scene of his noblest exploits, and made to 
stand there before the world the target for the low hate and 
cunning of intriguants whom his favor had warmed into exist- 
ence, and whose malice, otherwise impotent, Government 
patronage has supplied with a sting ; but, as a writer says, 
when it comes to that point, that Brevet-Major-General William 
J. Worth can rise before a court-martial in the city of Puebla, 
or in the United States, and hurl in thq^teeth of Gen. Scott the 
approval of his conduct by the Cabinet or Government, and 
the condemnation of his commander-in-chief, it passes the 
bounds of human patience, and makes us really sick at heart ; 
but they that would have sacrificed Gen. Taylor on the plains 
of Buena Vista and our own army in this valley of Mexico, 
are capable, too, of thrusting the dagger of revenge in the 
hero's heart ; but the people's hearts are not yet so seared and 
dried up by the fires of party passion ; their perceptions have 
not become so blunted, or their patriotism cooled down to the 
zero point, that they can look on such scenes as are now pre- 
sented in this city of Mexico and the United States, and not 
feel that a gross indignity has been offered to the national 
glory, and the far-famed name of the successful general. 

At noon it was very windy, the dust flying in all directions, 
so that we can hardly see the objects before us. 

Sunday, February 20, 1848.— This morning is very pleasant, 
and a good many went over to the polque cttha (tub), drink- 
mg polquc and talking about the releasing of Gen. Scott, and 
the capability of Gen. Butler. At noon several officers who 
have been in the city stated that they shook hands with Gen. 
Scott, saying that they regretted that he so soon should be 
recalled. Gen. Scott said that there is nothing in this wide 
world that he regretted more than to leave his gallant little 
army whom he had the honor to command during this victori- 
ous campaign in Mexico, and would like to be permitted to 
return with his soldiers to the United States. He said — 



488 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

" Think of it that I am a prisoner in the ver}' capital which I 
and my gallant little army had won. I am now in the attitude 
of a criminal on trial in a hostile capital captured by the genius 
and the gallantry of our little arm\-. 

Monday, Februmy 21, 1848. — This morning we were ordered 
to get percussion cap muskets, our former ones being old Har- 
per's Ferry flint muskets. What this is for and what it means 
we are all anxious to know ; probably getting ready to march 
on towards the enemy ; time will tell. Probably it is on ac- 
count of a rumor that the clergy and nearly all the members 
of the holy Catholic Church are not in favor of relinquishing 
any of the Mexican territory. So the peace prospect does 
not look so well, and the removal of Gen. Scott makes them 
still more stubborn and headstrong. 

The religious element of this country is having a strong 
tendency to maintain the fast-rooted bigotry of their spiritual 
power. Their religion, linked to their moneyed influence, 
has already enabled them to overturn all the efforts of the 
liberal-minded, progressive party, or the peace and order party, 
who have, however, nobly clung to the task of overthrowing 
this curse upon their body politic. In 1833, the combinations 
of the progressionists had somewhat trammelled the priests 
and clergy, but they, by blood}- revolutions, upset the presi- 
dents, who followed each other in quick succession, and were 
enabled through the aid of Gen. Santa Anna, whom they had 
won over to their party, to shake themselves almost entirely 
free from any state influence. By this the bishops held sole 
control over all ecclesiastical property, becoming the great 
bankers of this' countr>^, effecting loans, taking mortgages 
upon all kinds of property, and acting in all respects like im- 
mense commercial and moneyed corporations. 

Tuesday, February 22, 1848. — This being the birth-day of 
Gen. George Washington, the father of our country, so the 
best of wines and liquors will be freely drank, and talk about 
old times and the Twenty-second we spent at home and how 
we spent the present one ; also about the soldier's life in time 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 489 

of war and peace. Songs were sung and all kinds of amuse- 
ment were performed. We had plenty of everything, oranges, 
bananas, etc. 

In the evening. Co. H, First Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers had a fine supper at the officers' quarters. Col. Black 
was in attendance, and to give all soldiers a good chance, there 
was no dress-parade. Co. A, of the same regiment, had a 
supper at the Cataract House. 

Wednesday, February 23, 1848. — This morning some of our 
soldiers looked as if they had indulged too much in that good 
whisky and wine. 

At noon I informed my friend, Alburtus Welsh, of our 
company, who was on guard at the time, that I would stand 
guard for him ; providing he would make me a drawing of the 
Castle of Chapultepec, to which he cheerfully consented, and 
was glad of the relief from guard. 

To-day I am on guard for the first time since my promotion 
to the Corporalship. Oh ! I tell you the time seemed very 
long to me, not being used to going on guard. Strange to 
say, when I was a high private in the front rank, I used to like 
to go on guard ; in fact, many a time I used to volunteer my 
services to go on guard in the place of one who complained of 
being too sick. But now I wouldn't exchange if they would 
give me ^5.00 extra per month. 

Thursday, February 24, 1848. — This morning I was relieved 
from guard-duty ; and, I assure you, I was not sorry for it ; for 
the time seemed awful long to me, and I don't think I will 
ever stand guard again. 

Mr. Welsh has just finished making me a capital drawing of 
the Castle of Chapultepec. 

To-day is the twenty-seventh Mexican anniversary of freeing 
themselves from the Spanish yoke of rule. Their plan of 
government and constitution was declared at a small villa 
called Iguala, near Cordova, February 24, 1821. 

Their constitution was to form a progressive and liberal form 
of government, but contained one element, which was more 



490 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

potent than all the others combined, and indicated not only the 
secret control which the church possessed in the revolutionary 
movement of the country, but its determination to carry its 
power into every department of state, and to virtually rule the 
country at all hazard. 

The plan and constitution of Iguala was first the Mexican's 
notion, of its independence of the nation, and of every other, 
even on its own continent. 

Second, its religion shall be the Catholic, which all its in- 
habitants profess ; and nothing else will be tolerated. 

Third, they shall all be united, without any distinction 
between Americans, Europeans, etc. 

Twelfth, an army shall be formed for the support of the 
Catholic religion, independence and union, guaranteeing these 
three principles ; and, therefore, it shall be called the Army of 
the Three Guarantees. 

So soon the army, which bore these principles upon their 
banners, marched on, meeting with little opposition, and 
entered the capital of Mexico, September 27, 1821. 

A Junta (a meeting) was called, in which Augustine Iturbide 
was proclaimed President of the Republic of Mexico. 

The country now breathed a moment freely after its long 
struggle of eleven years of internecine strife, which had 
finally culminated in independence, and the establishing of a 
junta, free from foreign control. 

Don Augustine Iturbide, whose name I have frequently 
alluded to, is a native Mexican, and of the pure Aztec 
blood, and was very popular among the native tribes. 

During the revolution of Hidalgo he commanded a detach- 
ment of royal troops, and was one of the leading spirits that 
defeated the revolutionists. But the outrageous treatment, the 
murdering of thousands of innocent men, women and children 
in cold blood, caused Iturbide to vaa7ar{waver) from the royalist 
cause. He joined the Mestizos, a mixed race ; and, as soon as 
he saw a chance, he espoused the insurgent cause. 

So long as Ferdinando, King of Spain, had opposed the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 491 

popular, liberal party in Spain the Mexican clergy clung to 
his cause, with the hope of a reaction to the old system ; but 
when the news reached them of his adoption of the liberal 
constitution they immediately threw their whole influence into 
the cause of the insurgents in an attempt to establish a sepa- 
rate government, with the idea of inviting the bigoted Ferdi- 
nando to cross the Atlantic Ocean and accept the crown. 

About this time Augustine Iturbide came prominently into 
notice, and before the people , although of Aztec Indian 
blood. He has, since 1814, been swayed entirely by the 
church party, and had thus figured in various positions in 
command of a small detachment of regular forces. He had 
carried on an unsparing warfare against the insurgents ; as, for 
instance, of his cruelty, he (Iturbide) stated in one of his 
despatches to the viceroy in 18 14, that he, in honor of the 
day of Good Friday, had just ordered three hundred ex- 
communicated wretches to be shot. 

This boasting and cruel order Iturbide afterwards deeply 
regretted, and gave liberally to the suffering poor. 

Upon the clergy changing sides, Augustine Iturbide became 
one of their strongest adherents, and while in command of a 
small force on the western coast, in 1820, where he had been 
sent to proclaim the absolute authority of the King, here he 
espoused the insurgent cause, headed the force, and, being very 
popular, the people flocked to his standard, and, as already 
stated, marched on to the city of Mexico. 

Thus, the insurgent revolutionary movement was entirely 
successful, as most all the movements for the overthrow of any 
established government have been in Mexico when the clergy, 
or more in plain words, the Catholic priests, have directed the 
revolutionists. 

" Oh, when shall the millennium come ! When shall peace 
and goodwill prevail through this land of Mexico?" Answer, 
" Not until liberty of conscience and religion is allowed, and 
the Bible, the text-book, be permitted in the hands of the 
people." 



492 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

From 1833 revolution after revolution followed in quick 
succession, each eating into the revenue of the Church : one 
party trying to grasp at a portion of the Church property, that 
they might rid their country of its curse ; the opposition, aided 
by the funds of the clergy, waging a war to retain the property 
intact. During the government of Ferrias and Barrigan, 
fruitless attempts were made to confiscate the Church pro- 
perty to pay the debt, although eminently superior in financial 
resources, still found itself to hold the ascendancy in the face 
of the innovatory influences of 19th century progress, and the 
advancing civilization which, from the United States, was con- 
stantly infringing upon its border. 

Friday, February 25, 1848. — This morning everything is as 
quiet as if their never had been any war in this rodadura ticrra 
tcuiplado. Since the above has been noted, I fell in possession 
of Gen. Scott's letter to the Secretary of War, Hon. William 
L. Marcy, stating his grievance and treatment received from 
the heads of our Government, from the time he left for the seat 
of war until his removal. It being part of the history of the 
Mexican War, I deem it admissible and proper to note it as 
such in my journal, as follows : 

Mexico, February 24, 1848. 

Sir: — On the i8th instant I received your two letters of the 
13th ultimo, and immediately issued the General Order No. 
59 (a copy enclosed), devolving the command of the army in 
Mexico upon Major-Gen. Butler. As the officers detailed for 
the court of inquiry, before which I am ordered to appear as a 
criminal, are not known to have arrived in the country, I avail 
myself of a moment's leisure to recall some of the neglects, 
disappointments, injuries and rebukes which have been in- 
flicted upon me by the War Department since my departure 
from Washington, November 23d, 1846. 

To me the business of recrimination, however provoked, has 
ever been painful. \x\ this summary I shall, therefore, indulge 
in no wantonness of language, but confine myself to naked 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 493 

historical facts, leaving conclusions to men of sense and candor. 

In the hurry of preparation for Mexico (only four days 
were allowed me at Washington, when twenty might have 
been most advantageously employed in the great bureaux — 
those of the chief engineers, chief of ordnance, chief quarter- 
masters and chief commissary of subsistence), I handed to 
you a written request that one of three of our accomplished 
captains therein mentioned might be appointed assistant 
adjutant-general, with the rank of major, for duty with me 
in the field ; and there was a vacancy at the time for one. 
My request has never been attended to, and thus I have 
had no officer of the adjutant-general department with me in 
the campaign. Can another instance be cited of denying to a 
general- in-chief in the field, at the head of a large army, or 
even a small one, the selection of his chief of staff — that is, the 
chief in the department of orders and correspondence. 

Early in the following January I asked that a general court- 
martial might be appointed, on the part of the President, for 
the trial of two officers (named by me) for conduct each had 
committed that endangered, in a high degree, the success of 
the impending campaign ; and I specially referred to the ano- 
malous and fatal act of Congress (May 29, 1830) which pro- 
hibited me, as the accuser or prosecutor, from ordering the 
court for the trial of the cases. My application has never been 
noticed. This neglect alone ought early to have admonished 
me that I had no hope of support at Washington in any 
attempt I might make (against certain officers) to maintain 
necessary discipline in the army I was about to lead into the 
field. 

I left Washington highly flattered with the confidence and 
kindness the President had just shown me, in many long per- 
sonal interviews on miHtary matters. For more than two 
months my expression of gratitude were daily and fervent, 
nor were they much less emphatic toward the head of the 
War Department. Proceeding with zeal and confidence in my 
most hazardous duties, I learned, January 27, 1847, at the 



494 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Brazos San Jago, that an attempt was on foot to create a 
Lieutenant-General to take command in the field over me. 
Shocked and distressed, I allowed of no relaxation in my ef- 
forts to serve my country, and resolved that for the short time 
I was likely to remain in command to be 

True as the dial to the sun, 
Although it be not shined upon. 

A still greater outrage soon followed. Failing to obtain an 
act for the citizens" Lieutenant-General, a bill was pressed upon 
Congress to authorize the placing of a junior Major-General 
(just appointed the same individual), in command over all the 
old Major Generals then in front of the enemy. I will not 
here trust myself to add a soldier's comment upon those at- 
tempts, but I may thank God that He did not allow them, or 
subsequent injuries to break down entirely the spirit and abili- 
ties (such as they are) with which He had endowed me. 

Foreseeing at Washington, that from the great demands of 
commerce at the moment, it would be difficult, if not impossi- 
ble, to take up perhaps at any price a sufficient number of 
vessels at New Orleans and Mobile to transport the regiments 
of my expedition from the Rio Grande frontier to Vera Cruz. 
I endeavored to impress upon the War Department the ne- 
cessity of sending out from the northern and eastern ports a 
certain number of large ships in ballast, in order that the ex- 
pedition might not be delayed, and in view of the fixed fact, 
the return of the voniito at Vera Cruz, in the spring of the 
year, a delay of a few weeks was likely to prove a total defeat. 

In a paper transmitted to me, headed Memorandum for the 
Quartermaster-General, marked War Department, December 
15, 1846, and signed by the Secretary, which I received Jan- 
uary 8, 1847, it is said, independently of this number of 
transports for troops and ordnance stores (from the north), 
there will be required, say five ships for the transportation of 
the (surf) boats now being prepared, besides which ten vessels 
must be taken up and sent out in ballast (for troops), unless 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 495 

stores can be put on board to make up the number (40) re- 
quii"ed by the commanduig General. Tlie date of this memo- 
randum is December 15th, more than three weeks after my 
requisition and departure from Washington, and not one of 
the ten vessels in ballast, or with stores (leaving room for 
troops), have I heard of up to this day, relying upon them 
confidently. The embarkation was delayed in whole or in 
part at the Brazos and Tampico, from the 15th of January to 
the 9th of March, leaving, it was feared, not half the time 
needed for the reduction of Vera Cruz and its castles before 
the return of the yellow fever. But half the surf-boats came 
at all, and of the siege train and ordnance stores, only about 
one-half had arrived when the Mexican flags were replaced by 
those of the United States on those formidable places. We 
succeeded at last in reaching the point of attack, in the midst 
of frightful northern, by means in great part of trading craft, 
small and hazardous, picked up accidently at the Brazos and 
Tampico ; and when the army got ashore, its science and valor 
had to supply all deficiencies in heavy guns, mortars and 
ordnance. 

The first letter that I received from the department after 
entering the captured city, contained an elaborate rebuke 
(dated February 22d), for having ordered Col. Harney, of Sec- 
ond Dragoons, to remain in the command of the cavalry with 
Maj.-Gen. Taylor, so as to leave Maj. Summer, of the same 
regiment, the senior of that arm in my expedition. There 
was no great difference in the number of cavalry companies 
with the armies. 

This rebuke was written with a complacency that argued 
the highest' professional experience in such matters, and could 
not have been more confident in its tone if dictated to the 
greenest general of the recent appointments. Yet, without 
the power of selecting commanders of particular corps, no 
general-in-chief would venture to take upon himself the con- 
duct of a critical campaign. Such selections were always' 
made by the father of his country, and the principal general 



496 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

under him. So in the campaign of 1814, I myself sent away, 
against their wishes, three senior field officers of as many 
regiments, who were infirm, uninstructed and inefficient, in 
favor of three juniors, and with the subsequent approbation of 
Major-Gen. Brown on his joining me, and the head of the War 
Department. Both were well acquainted with the customs of 
war in like cases at home and abroad, and without that energy 
on my part, it is highly probable that no American citizen 
would ever have cited the battle of Niagara without a sigh for 
his country. I am happy, however, that, before a word had 
been received from the Department, and indeed before it could 
have had any knowledge of the question, I had decided to 
take with me the frank and gallant colonel ; and hope soon to 
learn that he and very many other officers have been re- 
warded with brevets for highly distinguished services in the 
campaign that followed. It was in reference to the same 
rebuke that, in acknowledging your communication, I said, 
from Vera Cruz, April 5th, I might very well controvert the 
military principles so confidently laid down by the Depart- 
ment (in the letter of the 22d February), but believing that 
the practice of the United States army, in the two wars with 
Great Britain, would have no weight /// particular case, I waive 
further reply, having at the moment no leisure and no inclina- 
tion for controversy. 

Alluding to the heavy disappointments in respect to tran- 
sports, siege-train and ordnance stones, then already experi- 
enced, I wrote to the Department from Lobos, February 28. 
Perhaps no expedition was ever so unaccountably delayed, 
by no want of foresight, arrangement or energy on my part, 
as I dare affirm, and under circumstances the most critical to 
this entire army ; for everybody relied upon, and knew from 
the first as well as I knew, it would be fatal to us to attempt 
military operations on this coast after probably the first week 
in April ; and here we are at the end of February. Neverthe- 
less, this army is in heart ; and, crippled as I am in the means 
required and promised, I shall go forward, and expect to take 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 497 

Vera Cruz and its castle in time to escape, by pursuing the 
enemy, the pestilence of the coast. 

The city and castle of Vera Cruz were captured March 29th, 
and with about one-fourth of the necessary means for a road 
train. The retreat, in pursuit of the enemy, was vigorously 
commenced April 8th. 

The battle of Cerro Gordo soon followed, and we occupied 
Jalapa and Perote, where we were obliged to wait for supplies 
from Vera Cruz ; in those positions I was made to write under 
another cruel disappointment. 

In my four memorials to the Department, on the further 
prosecution of the war against Mexico, written at Washington, 
and dated respectively, October 27th, November 12th, i6th 
and 2 1 St, it was only intimated to me on the night of 
November i8th, that I might prepare myself for the field. 
Papers in which I demonstrated that Vera Cruz was the true 
base of operations, and that the enemy's capital could not, 
probably, be reached from the Rio Grande. I estimated that 
after taking that great seaport, about twenty thousand men 
might be needed ; first, to beat in the field, and in passes, 
any accumulated forces in the way ; second, to garrison many 
important points in the rear, to secure a free communication 
with Vera Cruz ; third, to make distant detachments, in order 
to gather in, without long halts, necessary subsistence ; and 
that force, I supposed, including volunteers, and aided by land 
and money bounties, mig)it be raised in time by adding ten or 
twelve new regiments of regulars, and filling up the ranks of 
the old. 

A bill was introduced for raising ten additional regular 
regiments, ^nd I certainly do not mean to charge the Depart- 
ment with t\]e whole delay in passing the bill through Congress. 
But it was passed February 11, 1847; and under it, early in 
April, some few thousand men had been raised and organized. 
My distress may be conceived by any soldier, on learning, at 
Jalapa, April 27th, that the whole of that force had been sent, 
yqder Brig.-Gen. Cadwalader, to Rio Grande frontier. 

' 32 



498 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

In my letter to the Department, written the day after, I 
said I had expected that detachments of the new regiments 
would, as you had promised me, begin to arrive in this month, 
and continue to follow, perhaps, in June. How many vol- 
unteers will re-engage under the Act approved March 3d ? 
I know not ; probably but few. Hence, the greatest of my 
disappointments was caused by sending the new troops to the 
Rio Grande. For, besides their keeping the road in our 
present rear open for many weeks by marches in successive 
detachments, I had intended, as I advanced, to leave strong 
garrisons in this place (Jalapa), Perote and Puebla, and to keep 
at the head of the movement a force equal to any probable 
opposition. It may now depend on the number of the old 
volunteers who may re-engage, and the number of new troops 
that may arrive from the Brazos in time ; as, also, in some 
degree, upon the advance of Maj. -Gen. Taylor, whether I shall 
find this army in strength to leave the garrisons, and to occupy 
the capital. 

I may add that only about fifty individuals of old volunteers 
re-engaged under the provision of the Act of March 3d ; that 
the remainder were discharged May 4th ; that Maj. -Gen. 
Taylor made no movement in advance of Saltillo, and that the 
new regulars, including Gen. Cadwalader's brigade, only began 
to come up with me at Puebla, in July, but not in sufficient 
numbers till August 6th. The next day the army commenced 
its advance upon the capital, with a little more than ten thou- 
sand effective men. It is not extravagant to say that if Brig.- 
Gen. Cadwalader's force had not been diverted from me to the 
Rio Grande; where he was made lose, without any benefit to 
Maj.-Gen. Taylor, much precious time, I might easily have 
taken this in the month of June, and at one-fifth of the loss 
sustained in August and September. The enemy availed him- 
self of my forced delay at Puebla, to collect, to treble, to 
organize and discipline his forces. As, also, to erect numerous 
and powerful defences with batteries ; nearly all those extra- 
ordinary preparations for our receptiofi werp piajJe after the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 499 

middle of June, and it is known that the news of the victory 
of Buena Vista reached Washington in time to countermand 
Gen. Cadwalader's orders for the Rio Grande. Before his 
departure from New Orleans two rifle companies, with him, 
received the countermand there and joined me. 

I know that I had the misfortune to give offence early to the 
department by expressing myself to the same effect, from Jalapa, 
May 6th ; in a report of that date I said the subject of that 
order (No. 135, old Volunteer), has given me long and deep 
solicitude, to part with so large and so respectable portion of 
this army in the middle of a country, which, though broken 
in its power, is not yet disposed to sue for peace, to provide 
for the return home of seven regiments from this interior posi- 
tion, at a time when I find it quite difficult to provide trans- 
portation and supplies for the operating forces which remain. 
And all this without any prospect of succor or re-enforcement, 
in perhaps the next seven months, beyond some three hundred 
recruits — present novelties utterly unknown to any invading 
army before, with the addition of ten or twelve thousand new 
levies in April and May, asked for, and until very recently 
expected, or even with the addition of two or three thousand 
new troops destined for the army ; but suddenly by the orders 
of the War Department, diverted to the Rio Grande frontier. 
I might, notwithstanding the unavoidable discharge of the old 
volunteers, seven regiments and two independent companies, 
advance with confidence upon the enemy's capital. I shall 
nevertheless advance, but whether beyond Puebla will depend 
on intervening information and reflection. The general panic 
given to the enemy at the battle of Cerro Gordo still remain- 
ing, I think it probable that we shall go to Mexico ; or, if the 
enemy recover from that, we must renew the consternation by 
another blow. 

Thus, like Cortez, finding myself isolated and abandoned, 
and again like him, always afraid that the next ship or mess- 
enger might recall or further cripple me, I resolved no longer 
to depend on Vera Cruz or home, but to render my little army 



500 . NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

a self-sustaining machine, as I informed everybody, including 
the head of the War Department, and advance to Puebla. 

It was in reference to the foregoing serious causes of com- 
plaint, and others to be found in my reports at large, particu- 
larly in respect to money for the disbursing staff officers, 
clothing, and M. Trist, Commissioner, that I concluded my 
report from Puebla, June 4th, in these words: 

Considering the many cruel disappointments and mortifica- 
tion I have been made to feel since I left Washington, and the 
total want of support or sympathy on the part of the War 
Department which I have so long experienced, I beg to be 
recalled from this army the moment it may be safe for any 
person to embark at Vera Cruz, which I suppose will be early 
in November, probably all field operations will be over long 
before that time. 

But my next report (July 25th), from Puebla, has no doubt 
in the end been deemed more unpardonable by the depart- 
ment in that paper. After speaking of the happy change in 
my relations, both official and private with Mr. Trist, I con- 
tinued : 

Since about the 26th ultimo (June), our intercourse has been 
frequent and cordial, and I found him (Mr. Trist) able, dis- 
creet, courteous and amiable. At home it so chanced that we 
had had but the slightest possible acquaintance with each 
other, hence more or less of reciprocal, and of the existence 
of his feelings towards me I knew (by private letters) before 
we met that at least a part of the Cabinet had a full intimation. 

Still the pronounced misunderstanding between Mr. Trist 
and myself could not have occurred but for other circum- 
stances. I, His being obliged to send forward your letter of 
April 14th, instead of delivering it in person with the ex- 
planatory papers which he desired to communicate ; 2, His bad 
health in May and June, which I ani happy to say has now 
become good ; and 3, The extreme mystification into which 
your letter and particularly an interlineation unavoidably 
threw me. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 501 

So far as I am concerned, I am perfectly willing that all I 
have heretofore written to the department about Mr. Trist 
should be suppressed. I make this declaration as due to my 
present esteem for that gentleman, but ask no fav^or and de- 
sire none at the hands of the department. Justice to myself, 
however tardy, I shall take care to have done. I do not ac- 
knowledge the justice of either of your rebukes contained in 
the letter of May 31st, in relation to Mr. Trist and the pris- 
oners at Cerro Gordo, and that I do not here triumphantly 
vindicate myself, is not from the want of will, means or ability, 
hit time. The first letter (dated February 22d,) received from 
you at Vera Cruz, contained a censure, and I am now rebuked 
for the unavoidable — nay ruse. 

If it had not been unavoidable, release on parole of the 
prisoners taken at Cerro Gordo, even before one word of com- 
mendation from the government has reached this army, on 
account of its gallant conduct in the capture of those prisoners 
(no such commendation has yet been received, February, 1848). 
So in regular progression I may, should the same army gal- 
lantly bear me into the city of Mexico, in the next six or seven 
weeks, which is probable, if we are not arrested by peace or a 
truce, look to be dismissed from the service of my country. 
You will perceive that I am aware, as I have long been, of the 
dangers which hang over me at home, but I too, am a citizen 
of the United States, and well know the obligations imposed 
under all circumstances by an enlightened patriotism. 

In respect to money, I beg again to report that the Chief 
Commissary (Capt. Grayson,) of this army has not received 
a dollar from the United States since we landed at Vera Cruz, 
March 9, 1847. He now owes more than two hundred thou- 
sand dollars, and is obliged to purchase on credit, at great dis- 
advantages. The Chief Quartermaster (Capt. Irwin) has re- 
ceived perhaps sixty thousand dollars, and labors under like 
incumbrances. Both have sold drafts to small amounts and 
borrowed largely of the pay department, which has received 
about half the money estimated for. Consequently the troops 



502 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

have some four months pay due them. Our poverty, or the 
neglect of the disbursing departments at home has been made 
known, to our shame, in the papers of the capital here, through 
a letter from Lieut.-Col. Hunt, that was found on the person 
of the special messenger from Washington. 

The army is also suffering greatly from the want of necessary 
clothing, including blankets and greatcoats. The new troops 
(those who have last arrived), as destitute as the others, were 
first told that they would find abundant supplies at New 
Orleans, next at Vera Cruz and finally here ; whereas we now 
have perhaps a thousand hands engaged in making shoes and 
(out of bad materials and at high cost) pantaloons. These 
articles, about three thousand pairs of each, are absolutely 
necessary to cover the nakedness of the troops. 

February 28, 1847, off Lobos. — I wrote to Brig.-Gen. Brooke 
to direct the Quartermaster at New Orleans to send to me large 
supplies of clothing. March 16 and 23. — Gen. Brooke replied 
that the Quartermaster at New Orleans had neither clothing 
nor shoes, and that he was fearful that, unless they had been 
sent out to you direct, you will be much disappointed. Some 
small quantity of clothing, perhaps one-fifth of our wants, came 
to Vera Cruz from some quarters, and followed us to Jalapa 
and this place. I must here specially remark that this report. 
No. 30, though forwarded the night of its date (July 25),, seems 
to have miscarried, perceiving about November 27 that it was 
not acknowledged by the Department. I caused a duplicate 
to be made, signed it, and sent it off by the same conveyance 
with my despatch No. 36, and the charges against Brevet- 
Major-Gen. Worth, Gen. Pillow and Brevet-Col. Duncan, 
together with the appeal against me of the former. All these 
papers are acknowledged by the Department in the same letter, 
January 13, that recalls me. 

It was that budget of papers that caused the blow of power, 
so long suspended, to fall on a devoted head. The three ar- 
rested officers and he who had endeavored to enforce necessary 
discipline against them, are all to be placed together before the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 503 

same court — the innocent and the guilty, the accuser and the 
the accused. The judge and his prisoners are dealt with alike. 
Most impartial justice. But there is a discrimination with a 
vengeance. While the parties are on trial, if the appealer is 
to be tried at all, which seems doubtful, two are restored to 
their corps, one of them with his brevet rank, and I am de- 
prived of mine. There can be but one step more in the same 
direction. Throw the rules and articles of war into the fire, 
and leav^e all ranks in the army free to engage in denunciations 
and a general scramble for precedence, authority and executive 
favor. The pro)iunciantc)ito on the part of my factious juniors 
is most triumphant. 

My recall — under the circumstances a severe punishment 
before trial, but to be followed by a trial here that may run into 
the autumn, and on matters I am but partially permitted to 
know by the Department and my accusers — is very ingeniously 
placed on two grounds : — i. My own request, meaning that of 
June 4 (quoted above, and there was no other before the De- 
partment), which had been previously (July 12) acknowledged 
and rebukingly declined ; 2. The arrest of Brevet-Major-Gen. 
Worth for writing to the Department, under the pretext and 
form of an appeal, an open letter, to be sent through me, in 
which I was grossly and falsely accused of malice and conduct 
unbecoming an officer and gentleman, in the matter of the 
General Order No. 349, on the subject of puffing letters for 
the newspapers at home. 

On the second point, the letter from the Department of 
January 1 3 is more than ingenious ; it is elaborate, subtle and 
profound — a professional dissertation, with the rare merit of 
teaching principles, until now wholly unknown to military 
codes and treatises, and of course to all mere soldiers, how- 
ever great their experience in the field. 

I have not in this place time to do more than hint at the 
fatal consequences of the novel doctrine in question. Ac- 
cording to the department, any factious junior may at his 
pleasure, in the midst of the enemy, using the pretext and 



504 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

form of an appeal, against his commander, insult and outrage 
him to the greatest extent, though he be the General-in-Chief 
and charged with the conduct of the most critical operations, 
and that commander may not arrest the incipient mutineer 
until he shall have first laid down his own authority and sub- 
mitted himself to a trial, or wait at least until a distant period 
of leisure for a judicial examination of the appeal. And this 
is precisely the case under consideration. The department, in 
its eagerness to condemn me, could not take time to learn of 
the experienced that the General-in-Chief, who once submits 
to an outrage from a junior, must lay his account to suffer the 
like from all the vicious under him at least, down to a rank 
that may be supposed without influence in high quarters be- 
yond the army. But this would not be the whole mischief 
to the public service. Even the great mass of the spirited, 
intelligent and well affected among his brothers in arms would 
soon reduce such a commander to utter imbecility, by holding 
him in just scorn and contempt for his recreancy to himself 
and country. And are discipline and efficiency of no value in 
the field? 

But it was not my request of June 4th, nor report No. 30, 
(of July 25th,) so largely quoted from above, nor yet the ap- 
peal of one proniinciado , that has at length brought down upon 
me this visitation, so clearly predicted. That appeal, no doubt, 
had its merits. Considering it came from an erratic brother — 
a deserter from the other extreme — who, having just made his 
peace with the true faith, was bound to signalize apostacy by 
acceptable denunciations of one for whom up to Vera Cruz 
he had professed (and not without cause) the highest obliga- 
tions. It was there he learned from me that I was doomed at 
Washington, and straightway the apostate began to seek 
through a quarrel the means of turning that knowledge to 
his own benefit. No, there was (recently) still another ele- 
ment associated in the work, kept as far as practicable out of 
the letter of recall. Influence proceeding from the other ar- 
rested general, who is quite willing that it should generally 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 505 

be understood (and who shall gainsay his significant acquies- 
cence), that all rewards and punishments in this army were 
from the first to follow his recommendations. This, the more 
powerful of the pronunciados against No. 349 well knew at the 
time, as I soon knew that he was justly obnoxious, not only 
to the animadversion of that order, but to other censures of 
yet a much graver character. 

In respect to this General the letter of recall observes 
parenthetically, but with an acumen worthy of more than a 
hasty notice, that some of my specifications of his misconduct 
are hardly consistent with your official reports and com- 
mendations. 

Seemingly, this is a most just rebuke ; but, while waiting 
for the trials, I will here briefly state that, unfortunately, I 
followed that General's own reports, written and oral ; that my 
confidence, lent him in advance, had been but very slightly 
shaken, as early as the first week in October, 1 847 ; that up to 
that time, from our entrance into this city, I had been at the 
desk, shut out from personal intercourse with my brother 
officers, and that it was not till after that confinement that 
facts, conducts and motives began to pour in on me. 

A word, as to the fifth article of war, I can truly say that, in 
this and other communications, I have not designed the 
slightest disrespect to the Commander-in-Chief of the army and 
navy of the United States. No doubt he, like myself, and all 
others, may fall into mistakes as to particular men ; and I can- 
not, having myself been behind the curtain, admit the legal 
fiction that all acts of a Secretary are the acts of the President; 
yet, in my defensive statements, I have offered no wanton dis- 
courtesy to the head of the War Department ; although that 
functionary is not in the enumeration of the above mentioned 
article. 

Closing my correspondence with the Department, until after 
the approaching trial, I have the honor to remain, respectfully, 
your most obedient servant, 

WiNFiELD Scott. 
Hon. William L. Marcy, 

Secretary of War. 



CHAPTER X. 

Poor Indians — ist anniversary of the landincx of vera 

CRUZ — death of gen. VALENCIA ACCOUNT OF A BULL 

FIGHT IN MEXICO LIEUTS. HARE AND DUTTON OF THE 2D 

REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS ACCUSED OF MUR- 
DERING A BANKER IST ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF 

CERRO GORDO A HOLY THURSDAY THE POOR LEPERO — 

GENS. PAREDAS, ALMONTA AND BUSTAMENTO — GREAT EXCITE- 
MENT ON ACCOUNT OF PROSPECT OF PEACE TAKING UP THE 

DEAD BILL OF FARE HOW COFFEE IS MADE LIEUTS. 

HAKE AND DUTTON SENTENCED TO BE HUNG ANOTHER 

VISIT TO THE CITY A TREAT WITH A HIGH-TONED SENOR 

RARE HISTORY OF MEXICO MONTEZUMAS THE NINTH 

RULER OF MEXICO ; HIS LIFE A TREATY OF PEACE SIGNED, 

CAUSING GREAT EXCITEMENT AND JOY AMONG THE SOLDIERS 
—LIEUTS. HARE AND DUTTON PARDONED, BUT ARE TO BE 
KEPT UNDER ARREST UNTIL THEY LAND AT NEW ORLEANS. 

Saturday, February 26, 1848. — This morning we got a mail 
from the city, and I received one letter from a schoolmate of 
mine. 

At noon a party of us started for a place called Indian 
Town, and settled altogether with the original Aztecs, and 
mixed races. The vi//a has the appearances of poverty, built 
up with huts and a few Indian temples, where they worshij) in 
the original Indian style. 

They say that Cortez, or his priests, never came that way to 
inspire the new religion among them, simply because they had 
no gold to pay for it, nor any to steal from them. 

There are several opinions concerning these Indians, who 
were the first settlers of the new world, though no positive 
facts points them out. There are theories, not without weight 
of circumstantial evidence, that the lost tribes of Israel were 
the founders of the cities whose ruins strew Mexico and 
(506) 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 507 

Central America ; that, in fact, they were among the oldest 
inhabitants of our hemisphere. All the tribes of Indians 
bearing the strongest marks of Asiatic origin, and are identified 
with the Israelites by the following religious rites : — Their 
belief is in one God, their computation of time by their 
ceremonies of the new moon, their division of the year into 
four seasons, their erection of a temple, having an ark of 
covenant, and also in their erection of altars; their division of 
the nation into tribes, with a chief or general sachem at their 
head ; their laws of sacrifices, ablutions, marriage ceremonies 
in war and peace ; prohibition of eating certain things, tradi- 
tions, history, character, appearance, affinity of the language 
to the Hebrew, and finally by the everlasting covenant of heir- 
ship, exhibited in a perpetual transmission of its seal in the 
flesh ; a custom only of late relinquished ; and their abstaining 
from eating swine's flesh. These signs show that they are 
extracted from the Israelites or Jews. 

This is my humble opinion of these poor degraded Indians, 
and I believe that they are the original lost tribe of Israel. 

Sunday, Fcbniary 27, 1848. — This morning there was a 
great cheering and hurrahing in and about our quarters, on 
account of the news by the late mail — the news being that we, 
or all the old volunteer forces, would be soon recalled (in a 
pig's eye !). There are not enough troops in Mexico to make 
any more recalls with safety. 

In the afternoon we formed, and then marched to the field 
opposite to the Convent of San Angel, and were here in- 
spected by Lieut.-Col. Black, and, after staying a few hours, 
we returned to quarters. 

In the evening, Corp. Roland C. Malone, who had been lin- 
gering with the diarrhcea for same time, got his discharge, 
and will go home with the next down train to Vera Cruz. 
Malone has been a good soldier, and his departure is much 
regretted by our company to which he belonged. 

Monday, February 28, 1848. — This morning all hands were 
busy in cleaning up their muskets anc' belts, brightening the 



508 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

brass plates and blacking the cartridge-boxes and shoes, so as 
to come out tip-top on inspection ; for there is a great deal of 
rivalry between the companies. 

This evening at dress-parade it was read out that 

, of Company C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 



teers, would be confined at the Castle of Chapultepec for four 
months, to wear a ball and chain to his leg and an iron collar 
around his neck, and forfeit all his pay during the four months 
— all for biting Sergt. Joseph Foust's nose nearly off. This 
is the same party who, at Jalapa City, November 22, 
1847, was sentenced to the Castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, 
and, by the persuasion of Capt. Small, was released; but the 
Captain is not here to plead his cause, so he will have to go 
to the calaboose. 

TiU'sday, February 29, 1848. — This morning, at 10 o'clock, 
we were marched to the field and inspected, and mustered into 
the United States service by Capt. Joseph Hooker, Inspector- 
General of the army. The Massachusetts regiment was mus- 
tered first, then the South Carolina, then the Second Pennsyl- 
vania, and then ours — the First Pennsylvania, and the New 
Yorkers last. So, after we were all mustered in, we left for 
our quarters — all pleased with the appearance. 

Wednesday, MarcJi i, 1848. — This morning there was a con- 
siderable stir in the city of Mexico on the arrival of Gen. 
Lane, Maj. Polk, and Col. Jack Hays, who have been out 
scouting for several days. They had a little battle at a small 
town named Sicquotlapan, about one hundred and twenty 
miles from here. The guerillas were about three hundred 
strong, commanded by that notorious Padre Jarauta. In the 
fight our men had only one man wounded, while the enemy 
had over fifty killed and wounded, and about thirty taken 
prisoners ; among them were Col. Montaina and his brother, a 
Major, and four Irish deserters from our army. The old padre 
again made his escape to fight again. 

In the evening a train from Vera Cruz arrived. 

Thursday, March 2, 1848. — This morning there was a small 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 509 

mail brought out from the city to our quarters. I received 
one letter from my old friend Charles Worrell, Esq. 

At noon Col. Hays' Rangers came out from the city to their 
quarters ; each one carried a Mexican lance as a prize of the 
late fight with Jarauta. Some of them made out well, having 
large rolls of linen and black velvets. 

Friday, March 3, 1848. — This morning it is reported that a 
treaty was concluded at Guadaloupa Hidalgo by the Peace 
Commissioners, which, of course, is much doubted by us. 

Saturday, MarcJi 4, 1848. — This morning there is no news 
astir. At noon orders came for a detail of five men from our 
company to guard the train to San Antonia for straw. In the 
evening seven companies of our regiment received orders to 
march for Vera Cruz. The companies detailed are A, D, E, 
F, H, I and K, while companies B, C, G were ordered to 
remain to take care of the diarrJuva blues. At night Com- 
pany A, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, presented 
their Captain with a splendid sword. The band of the Second 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers was present and played on 
the occasion, which of course made it very lively. 

Sunday, March 5, 1848. — This morning the companies who 
received marching orders are busy in packing up their things 
to march to-morrow. At noon Lieut. -Col. Black went to the 
city of Mexico to see Gen. Patterson if he could get the whole 
regiment to go on the march, but the answer Col. Black got 
was that the three companies will have to remain to take care 
of the quarters and the sick. So our hopes of going altogether 
on the march are dasJicd. This evening the wagons came 
out from the city to our quarters to get them loaded with tents 
and cooking utensils, so as to be ready to start in the morning. 

Monday, March 6, 1848. — This morning, long before day- 
light, the reveille beat, and all the companies going were pre- 
paring lor their long march. So at daylight the seven com- 
panies, under our gallant Lieut.-Col. Samuel W. Black, started 
for the city of Mexico, from thence to Vera Cruz. This has 
caused much dissatisfaction among the companies remaining 



510 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

here, for we were all- anxious to be with our regiment and 
would like to go along with it to Vera Cruz. Corp. Malone 
goes with them, on his way home. 

Tuesday, March 7, 1848. — This morning our company moved 
our quarters to the rooms that the other companies had left ; 
so the forenoon was spent in fixing our beds or bunks. 

To-day one of our prisoners made his escape from the 
guard-house, but was again caught this evening. 

Wednesday, March 8, 1848, — This morning the whole vol- 
unteer brigade were ordered out to the field back of the con- 
vent, to be reviewed by Gen. Worth. The affair was splendid, 
and Gen. Worth spoke very highly of the appearance and 
drilling of the men. After the review Gen. Worth with his 
staff rode with Col. Wynkoop to his quarters and there took 
dinner. 

This evening I had a severe attack of the diarrhoea for the 
first time. 

T/uirsday, March 9, 1848. — This morning I went to our Dr. 
Bunting for some good pure brandy for the diarrhaa, which I 
think will do me good. This afternoon is the first anniversary 
of the landing of the American army under Major-Gen. Win- 
field Scott below Vera Cruz. This event was one of the most 
brilliant and important of the many memorable actions which 
distinguished our gallant little army in this unparalleled cam- 
paign, with a force of twelve thousand troops, which the old 
world would have deemed inadequate to so vast an undertaking. 
Yes, to-day one year ago Gen. Scott, then our commander, 
disembarked, and sat down before a city surrounded and 
enclosed by formidable walls twenty-five feet high, and de- 
fended by one of the strongest castles in the world, as well as 
by a series of forts and batteries around the whole city, which 
seemed to defy the assaults of any army that might have been 
brought against them. But these strong defences yielded up 
in twenty da3^s to the skill and courage of the United States 
army ; and when the news of its fall was spread abroad, the 
nation celebrated the triumph with such demonstrations as 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 511 

bespoke its appreciation of the gallantry of our troops and the 
magnitude of our achievements, and while the people and 
presses of Europe reluctantly confessed that'the success of our 
army had placed us among the foremost powers of the earth ; 
but the gallant commander who planned that expedition, and 
landed his troops without the loss of a single soldier or an 
accident, is now a prisoner in the capital which his own valor 
had won. Shame ! shame ! on the heads of our Departments 
at Washington. 

Friday, Marcli lo, 1848. — This morning it was rumored at 
our quarters that there was another mail arrived from Vera 
Cruz last night. 

This evening, as o.ir Second Sergt., Joseph Foust, was re- 
turning from the city of Mexico, he was lassoed by a guerilla ; 
but, fortunately, it did not take its proper hold, and so he made 
his escape by drawing his sword on the greaser. He was very 
much frightened. 

In the evening some of our men made up a theatrical per- 
formance. The plays were Damon and Pythias and TJie Fall 
of the Alamo. It was performed by Corp. Peter Ahl and 
John C. Craig. They played it well. 

Saturday, Marcli 11, 1848. — This morning there is great 
excitement concerning the news from San Luis Potosi. The 
Indians are making great havoc among the Mexicans on the 
frontier. Gen. Paredas is at the head of the Mexican army, 
and is making great threats towards the American army if we 
should attempt to march on to Queretaro City. 

Performance to-night by Ahl and Craig. 

Sunday, March 12, 1848. — This morning there seems to be 
some fear of Brig.-Gen. N. Towson and Col. Conrad F. Jack- 
son, who both had left Vera Cruz some time ago, and nothing 
has been heard from them ; it causes a little excitement among 
our officers. 

This afternoon there was a large merchant train came in 
from Real del Monte, loaded with silver from the mines, a 
good deal was in solid bars. 



512 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

This evening was spent in tall performances. Corp. Ahl, 
acting as on a skirmish ; John G. Craig, dreams of sweet 
home ; the house was crowded to excess. 

Monday, March 13, 1848. — This morning still no news from 
the missing Gen. Towson and Col. Jackson. It will be 
remembered that Gen. Towson is one of the Judges or Com- 
missioners to try Gen. Scott, and this keeps Gen. Scott so long 
here with us. 

Tuesday, March 14, 1848. — This morning is cold, and the 
mountains around here are all covered with a fresh coat of 
snow. At noon another mail came to our quarters. I received 
several letters. This afternoon one of Co. B shot an armadillo 
at Contreras. This is an odd-looking animal, and something 
of the kind I have never seen. 

Wednesday, March 15, 1848. — This morning it is still cold 
and windy, more so than common. 

In the afternoon there was another quarrel sprung up be- 
tween some of our regiment and the New Yorkers over at the 
polqiie tub haciendas, which resulted in a regular fight, and 
before it was quelled there was a great many bloody noses 
and black eyes. 

Thursday, March 16, 1848. — This morning the sun again 
made its appearance and the day turned out remarkably fine 
and warm. Some of our soldiers expected to get paid off to- 
day but were disappointed. It is reported this evening that 
we will be paid off to-morrow ; so this put the boys in high 
spirits again. 

Friday, MarcJi 17, 1848. — This morning the glorious news 
came from Lieut. Haines' quarters for us to come to his ofifice 
and sign the pay-roll, each private soldier receiving fourteen 
dollars, — two months' pay. So now the men have money 
again and in the evening they called a meeting to take into 
consideration the getting up of a supper. Lieut. Joseph M. 
Hall, of Co. C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was 
called to the chair and afterwards made President, and Sergt. 
Peter Ahl, Vice-President, and privates Corson, Welsh, Watson 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 513 

and others were appointed to make the necessary arrange- 
ments for the supper and ball. 

Saturday, March i8, 1848. — This morning the committee of 
arrangements went to the city of Mexico for the purpose of 
purchasing liquors, turkeys, chickens and vegetables for the 
grand supper, also engaged twenty senoritas and coaches to 
bring them from the city. Mr. John R. Schultz, of Co. C, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was appointed chief 
cook, bottle and dishwasher. 

Sunday , Maj-cJi 19, 1848. — This morning, Theodore Watson, 
one of the committee, arrived from the city, stating that he had 
everything in the city ready to send out the moment it is wanted. 

To-day's papers are full about peace, but I place no confi- 
dence in the report. 

Monday, MarcJi 20, 1848. — This morning everything is in 
readiness for the grand supper, which comes off to-night. In 
the evening, at 8 o'clock, the parties sat down to the table, in- 
cluding twenty as beautiful senoritas as the sun ever shone 
upon or graced the floor of a ball-room, and they, as well our- 
selves, did ample justice to the good things on the table. 
After supper was over the cloth was removed ; then songs, 
stories, toasts and speeches enlivened the board and kept up a 
continuous roar of laughter, after which we adjourned to the 
large ball-room, which was magnificently decorated. It was 
built expressly for an occasion of this kind, and lighted up by 
three splendid chandeliers. The band belonging to the Second 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, composed of sixteen brass 
instruments — which sent forth their sweet music — together 
with the graceful motions of those dancing, made it appear a 
perfect paradise. 

Tuesday, March 21, 1848. — This morning some of our fel- 
lows who danced so much last night could hardly get up on 
account of soreness and stiffness. 

In the afternoon friend Welsh and myself went to Orchard 
Grove, and remained there until evening, Mr. Welsh playing 
the ^ccordeon to pass the time. 
33 



514 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. . 

Wednesday, MarcJi 22d, 1848. — This morning, at 10 o'clock, 
we marched to the field opposite the convento, or nunnery, 
where we found the whole Volunteer Brigade formed. We 
fell into line and went through various field movements — all 
under the command of Col. Wynkoop, who is trying to get 
promoted to a brigadier-generalship. Shortly afterwards, 
Maj.-Gen. Patterson made his appearance on the field, and 
reviewed the brigade. He was accompanied by a good many 
regular officers, and they all praised our field movements and 
drilling, after which we returned to our quarters. 

This evening there seemed to be a little excitement in our 
quarters about the extra expenses of the late supper and ball ; 
so a committee was appointed to make all things right. 

Thursday, March 23, 1848. — This morning the committee 
appointed to inquire into the extra expenses of our late supper 
reported that there has been a great many glasses, bottles and 
dishes broken at the supper, and the committee of arrange- 
ments held themselves responsible for all lost and damaged 
articles ; therefore, an order should be drawn on the overflush 
and pay the extra charges, which was agreed to. This evening, 
on dress parade, orders were read to us that the United States 
Congress had passed a bill to deduct one dollar per month from 
our clothing money. The reading of this bill caused a good 
deal of excitement, that this is what we get for fighting the 
bloody Mexicans. The bill was got up and advocated by 
General Lczvis Cass, so-called hero of Hull's surrender ; but 
this is the biggest surrender and blunder that he ever made ; 
and mark me, the honorable gentleman will yet suffer by this 
very act, and so he did. He never was elected President. 

Friday, March 24, 1848. — This morning there is great ex- 
citement in the whole volunteer division about Congress passing 
a bill deducting one dollar per month from our clothing. 
Thus, in place of raising our wages, as we all expected, they 
lowered them. Some of our men are swearing vengeance, 
that they will march on to Washington and run the bayonet 
in old Lewis Cass. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 515 

In the evening, after dark, Company G, First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, headed by their Sergeant, Joseph 
L. Parker, made a Paddy of Gen. Lewis Cass, extended a rope 
across the street, and hung the old veteran of Hull's surrender 
in effigy. The old gentleman being very heavy, the rope 
broke several times ; but at last the company succeeded in 
getting him up, when a great huzzaing burst forth from the 
crowds standing around looking on. Some officers, touched 
by their politics, ordered it to be cut down, but nary a time, 
the boys had him in his just position. They left him hanging 
until late at night, when a large fire was built right under him, 
after which he was lowered down, and poor Lewis C-ass was 
consumed to smoke and ashes in a foreign land, and mocked 
and hooted at. " Give us that dollar, you sad, you have taken 
from us ; you have sucked the United States out of enough 
without stealing our clothing money." There was also a 
committee appointed to raise a collection to present Mr. Cass 
with a leather medal, and also nominate him for the next office 
as dog-catcher, or some other office that meets with the ^ppro^ 
bation and feelings of the volunteers. 

Saturday, March 25, 1848— This morning the city papers 
have in that Gen. Valencia (captured some time ago by Col. 
Wynkoop) died last night o^ apoplcgia (apoplexy). His death 
has caused a gloom and great mourning among the gentle 
portion of the community. At San Angel all the church bells 
tolled in sorrow at his death. Gen. Valencia was no doubt a 
brave, gallant and skilful officer, and it is a well-known fact 
that if Gen. Santa Anna, with his twelve thousand troops who 
were in reserve, had supported Gen. Valencia at the battle of 
Contreras (according to the Mexican programme), our army 
would not so easy have gotten into the city of Mexico. But, 
fortunately for qur side, there was no unity among the Mexi- 
can Generals ; they were jealous of each other in the whole 
campaign. Gen. Valencia was engaged in every battle fought 
in the valley of Mexico, and has proven himself a brave, daring 
and rriQst excellent and gallant officer. Peace to his ashes. 



516 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

In the afternoon large parties of Mexicans came from the 
city of Mexico, and visited the battle-ground of Contreras, the 
field of operation where Gen. Valencia commanded during the 
battle of August 19 and 20, 1847. 

Sunday, March 26, 1848. — This morning, being Sunday, a 
big bill is out about the Plaza de Toras. So a party of five 
got permission from Lieut. Haines to go to the city, and to 
Plaza de Toras. We started early, and took our time to it. 
We went by the way of Churubusco Convento, Miscoac, 
Tacubaya, Chapultepec and El Molina del Rey, from here we 
visited the Alameda Park, and some of the public buildings in 
the city. After which we went to the Plaza de- Toras, and 
stayed until out, and then took the stage and left for San 
Angel. 

Monday., March 27, 1848. — This morning I did not feel so 
well on account of our long walk yesterday, being still weak 
from the late effect of the diarrhoea. So I mostly spent the 
day in the orchard grove, which is a pleasant place to resort 
to on a hot day. 

Tuesday, March 28, 1848. — This morning Col. Francis M. 
Wynkoop, with a squadron of dragoons, left the city for the 
silver mines of Real del Monte and Pachuca, where the Ninth 
Infantry, under Col. Withers, is now stationed. They will be 
absent several days, what their object or intentions are is not 
for me to know, but I expect it is to view the mines, as Col. 
Wynkoop comes from the coal mines, and is anxious to learn 
the silver mining. 

Wednesday, March 29, 1848. — To-day is the anniversary of 
the surrender of the city of Vera Cruz and the Castle of San 
Juan de Ulloa, the former surrounded with an immense wall 
mounted with batteries and strong fortifications, unquestion- 
ably unapproachable. The latter was the great renowned 
fortress of San Juan de Ulloa, a second Gibraltar ; and it was 
the first grand victory of our army, and the fall of Vera Cruz 
was celebrated throughout the whole United States as one of 
the grandest events of the present timps. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 517 

This afternoon there was considerable excitement at San 
Angel and the city of Mexico by the rumors that Col. 
Wynkoop and his party had a big fight with a large force of 
lancers and guerillas on the road between the city of Mexico 
and Pachuca, and reports have it that Col. Wynkoop was 
dangerously wounded, but these are all rumors, and I believe 
very little of it. 

In the evening there was a private express came from Vera 
Cruz. It did not stop at the city, but went on to Queretaro 
City. So none of us knew its contents, but it is believed to be 
the treaty signed from Washington. 

Thursday, March 30, 1848. — This morning the city papers 
have it that a small mail arrived from Vera Cruz. The news 
to-day is that our Government has ratified the peace proposi- 
tion of the Mexicans, with a slight amendment, and is now 
ready for the Mexican Government to act upon it. I hope it 
is true. 

Friday March 31,1 848. — This morning the mail came out 
from the city to our quarters. I received one letter, stating 
that there is considerable excitement in the States about 
the superseding of Gen. Scott, after he had conquered the 
Mexicans. 

This afternoon several of us started, with our blankets, for 
the polquc grove, to write letters. I wrote one to my friend, 
John Robinson, giving a description of the great bull-fights 
last Sunday, as follows : — 



ICO, 1 

5. / 



San Angel, Mexico, 
March 31, 1848. 
John Robinson, Esq. 

Dear Friend : — I feel extremely happy to state that I re- 
ceived your letter a few days ago, stating that you and all 
inquiring friends were well. You also stated in your letter 
that you have often read and heard of the bull-fights in Mex- 
ico, and that I should give you a small account of these ancient 
sports of Mexico, which I will now answer the best I can. 



518 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Last Sunday was a beautiful day, so a small party of us 
got permission from Lieut. Haines to go to the city of Mexico 
and visit the bull-fight in the Plasa tie Toros. We started 
early and went by the way of Churubusco, and examined all 
the breastworks and fortifications, and, through the politeness 
of the old priest, we were admitted, and passed through the 
old church, or convcrito — which was well fortified during the 
battle^ — and saw where one of our cannon-balls — an cighteen- 
pounder — went just along the side of the altar, carrying away 
some oi the fmc)' fi.xtures ; the interior of the church suffered 
very severely from our artillery. We then went on, and passed 
through Villeta dc Miscoac, the general depot of Gen. Scott's 
army during the battles of Chapultepec and San Cosmo gates. 
Here we took a good drink oi polquc, and then went on to 
Tacubaya, the headquarters of Gen. Scott during the above 
battles. After looking around awhile, we left for the Castle of 
Chapultepec, and examined its defences and the damages done 
b)' our artillery on the 1 2th and 13th of September last. After 
spending an hour, we left for the boiling springs, and took a 
good bath, after which we went to Molino del Re\-, or King's 
Mill. This place is at the foot of Chapultepec. 

There is a fine grove of trees from the castle to Molino Del 
Rey. It was once a strong fortress, and strongly garrisoned 
by the Mexicans during the battle : and it was here where Gen. 
Worth was defeated and lost nearly one-half of his men. It 
was here where the Mexicans had a foundry casting cannons 
and making other arms during the armistice or military con- 
vention, and it was here where Gen. Scott first saw Gen. Santa 
Anna violating" the armistice. Afterwards these fortresses were 
captured, after which Gen. Scott ordered them to be blown up ; 
so there is nothing now remaining except the bare walls and 
plenty of ruins. 

From here we went to the Placii dc Toros. I ha\ e been in 
here several times before, but with no very agreeable impres- 
sions. But time hung heavily without books ; and, as the boy 
said of the skinned eels, I was getting used to the sport. Wc 



Nori':s OF THE m1':xi(:an war. 519 

arrived a little too early, and thereby had a fine chance to see 
what kind of people were our companions. They were like 
the English drink called " all sorts," made up of representa- 
tives from every class, from the poor Icpcro, who, like the 
observationist, observes in the daytime what he can steal at 
night. There were priests, ladies and gentlemen of the highest 
class, commoners and cargadors (loafers), and ladroncs, which 
latter class you will please to understand are numerous hordes 
of robbers to be met with in every part of the magnanimous 
republic of Mexico, and almost every one had a revolver under 
his coat. The Plasa de Toros is built like a circus ; is of 
immense capacity, capable of seating from eight to ten thou- 
sand persons ; and so far across that you can with difficulty 
recognize an intimate acquaintance, even by a well-known dress. 

On last Sunday it was thronged. The day was one of the 
many favorite or fete days, and the people were dressed in 
their best finery, as if for a fair. It was a great day for the 
Plaza de Toros too, and we soon learned that there were to be 
some extra sports, several fine bulls having been procured 
from distant haciendas especially for the occasion. 

At 3 o'clock, p. M., four horsem.en and six picadors, or 
actors, came in the ring, waiting for the trumpet signal from 
their judges. The butchers on foot were very fancifully 
dressed in embroidered velvet jackets and ornamented pants 
buckling at the knee, parti-colored hose and shoes, and caps 
trimmed with silver and gold. Each wore a sash around his 
waist, and held in his hands a scarf of red, yellow or blue flag 
with which to tantalize the bulls. The horsemen were simi- 
larly dressed, though not so richly, and held long pikes with 
which they goad the toros (bulls), and, when attacked, defend 
themselves and horses from their fury. 

There were two clowns, also, the stupidest creatures that ever 
played the fool before an audience. Their entire performances 
consisted in tossing up oranges and catching them on their 
heads when they fell down, and bellowing in imitation of the 
toros (bulls), and playing disgusting tricks upon each other. 



520 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The trumpet is at length sounded, and in rushed a large 
brown bull, snorting and plunging about, mad with pain from 
the torture he had previously received. In a moment he was 
assailed by the horsemen, and several sharp encounters oc- 
curred. One man particularly more expert than the others, 
got his pike in the animal's neck, and actually held him off for 
a moment or two. The crowd cheered loudly, and he seemed 
in the height of his glory, when, by a sudden movement, the 
bull threw up the lance, and pitched into his adversary. The 
horse and rider were tossed into the air, and tumbled in the 
dust. The poor horse was terribly gored, and the picador or 
actor under him ; and by great exertions the others succeeded 
in attracting the bull towards them, and the crushed cavalier 
was borne from the ring. The horse was dragged out by 
mules dead. Next came the cruel torturing that- seems to so 
much delight the Spaniard. The picadors, armed with bando- 
rillas, approached him on all sides, waving their scarfs and 
shouting at him all manner of defiance. 

After having sufficiently bewildered the noble animal one of 
the most expert approached him directly in front, holding in 
each hand a bandorilla. The bull pawed the earth for a few 
moments, and then plunged at him with almost incon- 
ceivable dexterity. The man turned to one side and plunged 
both into his neck, and others followed ; and in a short time 
the panting bull was completely decorated with the fancy 
colored cut paper that is wound around the barb, an in- 
strument of torture ; but, still more cruel than this, a sort of 
rocket, that ignites with the force given in driving it home, was 
stuck into his neck, and they blazed and scorched him until it 
ended with an explosion, blackening and lacerating the flesh, 
while the creature plunged and bellowed fearfully amid the 
plaudits of the crowd ; while he was suffering with pain, and 
mad as a thousand furies, one of the picadors endeavored to 
fasten a rosette upon his forehead. The bull rushed for- 
ward, and the man slipped. The sagacious animal caught 
him on one of his horns ; and, running straight for the side of 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 521 

the ring, dashed the poor fellow against the stout wall with 
tremendous force. A loud shriek arose from the spectators, 
and the man was finally rescued and borne off. He had a leg 
broken, and was otherwise badly injured. Our party, who sat 
together, applauded the bull, and so did many others, for his 
part in the programme. 

The last scene in this act was the killing of the bull. A 
j/iatadorc {murderer) with, a scarf on one arm and a straight 
sword, after playing around until sure of his mark, made a 
charge, and killed the animal at one blow. The applause that 
followed his succes.s entirely dispelled all thoughts of the 
poor wounded picador. 

The next bull brought in was a young one, and he could 
not be made to show fight. The crowd whistled and hooted, 
pelting him with oranges, and calling out vaca, vaca, otro, otro, 
toro (cow, cow, another bull). One of the horsemen, who had 
not before taken any part, drove the toro (bull) around the ring, 
and threw him several times to the ground, to the great 
delight of the crowd. This they did by getting the bull at 
full speed, catching the tail in one hand and throwing one foot 
over the hand, then the horse was urged faster, and by a 
sudden wheel the bull was tumbled ; sometimes clear over 
endways, throwing a complete somersault. This bull having 
proved (like good many of the Mexicans) a covvard, was 
turned out of the ring and hooted at, while going out. 

There was an Indian band, and a very good one it was, 
playing ; and after the second bull had been disposed of, there 
was a short intermission. Our party were seated in the first 
tier, among a party of ten or twelve who seemed to take great 
interest in the performances. While the band was playing, one 
of the picadors, a very handsome young man of perhaps twenty- 
five, came over smiling, and spoke with the ladies and gentle- 
men ; one whom I saw at once had reasons for the interest she 
had exhibited whenever he was in harm's way. In Spanish 
she spoke to him, saying, " I wish you had not undertaken 
this performance, Lorenzo," with a slight quiver of her lips. 



522 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

" Papa is well nigh killed, and I fear you may meet with the 
same fate." " Guadaloupa," said the young picador, " I am 
not so clumsy as to lose my feet, like papa. You know I was 
never touched yet, and there will be such merry sports with a 
wild black bull we have here, as I would not miss for my com- 
mission ;" and he curled his silken moustache with a confidence 
that drew a smile of womanly pride from the dama (lady) ; 
albeit there was a fearful doubt betrayed in her moist eyes. 
" Never fear for me ; you shall see what pranks I shall play 
with tcro fiegro, black bull. Why, I have wagered a dozen of 
biirgales," (which means an ancient coin of gold,) " with Don 
Pedro de Avilla that I will leap upon his toros back ;" and 
away he went laughing. 

'' Dios viio" (mine God), exclaimed the trembling lady, as 
she saw the fierce wild bull run into the ring. " I wish I had 
not come to the Plaaa de Toros.'' "Why so?" asked I. 
" Lorenzo is famed for his dexterity ; and now that he has the 
assurance of winning his wager, and the encouragement of 
your bright black eyes and prayers, he cannot fail to win." 
" Oh, there is no such picador in all Mexico as he (Lorenzo) 
is. But I feel something here (putting her hand upon her 
heart) heavy and distrustful — something I never felt before; a 
great fear seems to have caught my heart with fingers of iron, 
and it is full of sad foreboding. That bull is as fierce as a 
dcjnonio (demon), and, see, his horns are as sharp as the point 
of a lance," and so they were. In these days of degeneracy in 
the bull ring, the horns of the toro (bull) are generally sawed off 
at the point, so as to make them less dangerous in case of 
accident. But the bull Lorenzo was to encounter had not 
been so used. It was said by a Mexican seated close by us 
that it was because he could not be caught. At this the 
trumpet sounded, and the encounter commenced. The horse- 
men fought shy at first, and dared not come up to the scratch, 
dealing the bull side favors, but not daring to confront him. 
In a few seconds, however, he had tumbled one into the dust, 
and a fine horse was taken out of the ring dragging his entrails 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 523 

after him. The picadors then took their turn, and I noticed 
that two more had been added to their number ; one an Indian, 
a bold-looking fellow he was, who bid fair to rival the best of 
them. They succeeded in fastening several bandonllas in]^his 
teros (neck), and one rocket ; and the Indian caught off a rosette 
which had been placed between the bull's eyes. The noble 
animal was then the very embodiment of fury. He instantly 
rushed at one and another with terrible force, sometimes falling 
on his knees when they suddenly sprang aside. There was a 
short pause, and Lorenzo, walking over to where several cava- 
liers were seated, and bowing, exclaimed, " Now for my wager." 
I looked at- the dama (lady) beside me. She was pale as the 
picture of the Virgin, whose name she bore, in the cathedral. 

Again the picadors commenced their play of torture, again 
were the baiidorillas and rockets fastened in his tremendous 
fat neck, again he plunged, roaring, around the ring, fighting 
blindly at one and another in the confusion and clamor. All 
at once, the Indian, placing himself in front of the bull, 
shouted defiance. The animal made a plunge, and the Indian, 
placing his left foot between his horns, sprang clear over him. 
At this, the Plaza de Toros was filled with bravos and shout- 
ing that lasted for several minutes. 

It now came Lorenzo's turn. He faced the bull and waved 
his cap. At this I again looked at the Dama Gaudaloupa. 
Her face was hidden in her hands, and her whole frame shook 
like the leaves of the aspen. A cry of horror rose from the 
crowd. I instantly turned, and saw the ill-fated Lorenzo dan- 
gling upon one of the tords horns, and in an instant more 
he was sent high in the air, and his inanimate body fell heavily 
on the horns of the furious beast, who dashed it upon the 
ground and trampled upon it. There was one wild, piercing 
shriek — such as I never heard before, nor do I wish to hear 
again — that rent the air and hushed the clamorous crowd like 
magic. Poor Gaudaloupa ! her happiness, her hope, her all 
but life had been lost with the wager for the ancient coins ! 

You may think it strange ; the performance, or fete, went 



524 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

on, but the fair Dama Gaudaloupa left, weeping, and we soon 
followed her out, having seen enough of the ancient sport of 
Spain in the Plaza de Toros for one day, and I think that it 
will be the last time that I shall visit this rodadura tierra tevi- 
plado (rolling table-land). It is a kind of sport that no Amer- 
ican cares about seeing more than once ; at the same time, I 
have been in the Plaza de Toros several times since. I hope 
you will excuse me for writing you such a lengthy letter, for 
my object was to give you an account of the bull-fights of 
Mexico for one day only. I remain yours, &c., J. J. O. 

Three Loeks^five miles above Lcwistoivn, Pa. 

Saturday, April i, 1848. — This morning being the ist of 
April, most of the soldiers were up early, trying to fool one 
another. I came it on two of our boys ; one I sent to hunt 
the pan and eggs, and the other I sent to the doctor's quickly, 
before he went to the city. I had one or two invitations to 
take dinner, but I most respectfully declined the generous offer. 

This evening the sky was darkened with black clouds, and 
in a short time the rain descended from the heavens in tor- 
rents for several hours. 

Sunday, April 2, 1884. — This morning the treaty of peace 
came from Vera Cruz, under an escort of dragoons. This 
raised considerable excitement in the city of Mexico, among 
both the officers and citizens, for fear of its ratification when 
apprehended. The mail came up by this escort, but our three 
companies remaining here received no letters, for the other 
seven companies were mean enough to keep the whole mail 
back on account of their letters. 

It is rumored that our seven companies are at Jalapa City, 
and that Lieut. -Col. Black is Governor of the .said city. Also 
that Gen. Santa Anna had resigned the Presidency and 
commandery of his army, and that he now resides at his 
summer residence, Hacienda El F^ncero, and that Col. 
Hughes paid Gen. Santa Anna a visit, and offered him 
protection. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 525 

Monday, April 3, 1848. — This morning most of our men 
could be seen in groups talking about the ratification of the 
peace proposition, and that the prospect of our going home is 
cheerful. 

In the afternoon there was a Mexican funeral at San Angel, 
and it passed our quarters ; and, directly opposite, one of the 
carriers of the dead corpse spied a claco, and he really stopped 
the procession to pick it up. After which they went on, and 
the man who found the cent was much rejoiced. 

Ttiesday, April 4, 1848. — This morning there is no news 
from Queretaro City concerning the treaty of peace. 

This afternoon there was a Mexican child buried just 
opposite our quarters. The funeral was grand. The child was 
laid in the coffin, and it was decorated most beautifully with 
natural flowers, costly velvets and gold lace. Just before the 
procession moved the band played a beautiful air. After 
which it was taken from the house, and the procession then 
started off, with the band playing as they moved on. There 
were two women, who strewed flowers over the ground they 
passed, and some twenty little boys in front of the corpse bare- 
headed, crying and carrying lighted candles. It was carried 
to Churubusco Church. 

This evening I have got another slight attack of the diarrhoea. 
Wednesday, April 5, 1848. — This morning there is con- 
siderable excitement in the city of Mexico on account of a 
murder and a robbery, which was committed last night in one 
of the large merchant houses, next to the Bella Union Hotel ; 
others have it that it was committed in a regular gambling- 
house, that the banker was killed and his bank robbed of 
several hundred thousand dollars in doubloons. And that 
Lieut. Isaac P. Hare and Adjt. Benjamin F. Button, both 
belonging to the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
and others are the guilty parties of the murder and robbery. 
Lieut. Hare was wounded in the arm, and was immediately 
arrested and locked up, but Adjt. Button, and others have fled 
to the mountains. 



526 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

At noon the Third Dragoons passed San Angel in search of 
Dutton and some other officers concerned in the bloody and 
outrageous deeds. 

It is reported to-night that Gen. Scott is ordered to return 
to the United States as a private citizen, there to undergo a 
court-martial for ending the war too soon. 

Thursday, Aprils, 1848. — This morning several other offi- 
cers who were concerned in the robbing and murdering of the 
banker were caught in the outskirts of the city, but Adjt. 
Dutton is still at large. A small party started in search of 
him away back to a place called Indian Town, but could see 
or hear nothing of him. 

This afternoon we had a terrible hailstorm, accompanied by 
heavy thundering and lightning and raining most powerfully. 
The roads were filled with water to overflowing — looking like 
creeks. 

Friday, April y, 1848. — This morning it is still raining, 
making everything very damp and unpleasant for us diarrhoea 
blues. It continued nearly all day, and those who were not 
on duty were glad to stay in their quarters. 

This evening it is rumored that Gen. Scott left the city yes- 
terday on his way to the United States. 

Saturday, April 8, 1848. — This morning I feel considerably 
better and am able to walk about with more ease. At noon it 
cleared off beautifully. It is also rumored that Adjt. Dutton 
has given himself up in the city of Mexico ; he wasn't out of 
the city, 

Sunday, April 9, 1848. — This morning one year ago we 
took up our march for the interior of Mexico. At noon I 
saw in the city papers that the Mexican Congress has a quorum 
— all but two, and it is the opinion of all good citizens that the 
peace proposition will be accepted. This being Easter Sun- 
day, it is kept as a holyday, and some are indulging in egg-nogg 
pretty freely. 

This afternoon, Gen. Marshall and several other officers, 
accompanied by a squad of dragoons, paid a visit to the 




GEN. WINFIELD SCOTT. 
Removed from the Command of his Army in Mexico, iJ 



528 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

battle-fields of San Antonio and Contreras. This evening it 
is rumored that France has revolutionized. 

Monday, April lo, 1848. — This morning is very pleasant; 
the late rain has purified the atmosphere. At noon a party- 
started to visit the surrounding battle-fields, and wanted me to 
go along ; but I was afi^aid to go on account of my weakness. 
This evening it is rumored that our ministers have arrived 
from the United States with the olive-branch of peace, and 
are on their way to Queretaro City. 

Tuesday, April 11, 1848. — This morning it is rumored that 
the United States Senate has passed the ten regiment bill. I 
expect, about the time the war is over, there will be plenty of 
soldiers on their way to Mexico, who, after their return home, 
will be as much thought of as us old veterans who came out 
on the first call in 1846. 

This evening the report is that Col. Black, with the seven 
companies of our regiment, was encamped at the National 
bridge on their way to this city. 

Wednesday, April 12, 1848. — This morning orders were 
issued for all the sick and wounded belonging to the Volun- 
teer division to leave San Angel for the city of Mexico ; and 
from there they will be taken to the general hospital at the 
city of Jalapa, which is considered the healthiest place in all 
Mexico. 

To-day the court-martial commenced in San Angel for the 
trial of all criminal cases which may be brought before them. 

Thursday, April 13, 1848. — This morning it is reported that 
Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, once President of the 
Republic of Mexico, and Commander-in-Chief of its army, 
embarked from Antigua on the fifth instant for Jamaica. On 
leaving his dear native land, he published a flaming long ad- 
dress to his gallant scattered army and countrymen, pointing 
to his distinguished services that he had rendered to his 
country, and most particularly to his wounds which he re- 
ceived while in defence of his beloved country's honor; and 
for which he is now compelled to leave his native land, never 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 529 

to return to his birthplace again. And in conclusion he con- 
signed them (the Mexicans) to the care and keeping of 
Almighty God and Jesus Christ his Son. Thus, poor Santa 
Anna is again compelled to leave his country, dismayed and 
broken-hearted. 

This evening, as Col. Ward Burnett, Colonel of the New 
York Regiment, and Major Bowman, of the First Regiment 
Pennsylvania Volunteers, were returning from the city of 
Mexico to San Angel, they were fired upon by a party of 
guerillas. Our officers succeeded in capturing several of the 
guilty parties, and brought them to San Angel, and there put 
them in the guard-house to await their trial. If justice was 
done to these highway murderers and robbers, they ought to 
be shot, in place of putting them in the guard-house ; or any 
Mexican who attempts to take the precious life of a soldier in 
time (as we are now) of peace. If putting them in the guard- 
house is to be all the punishment they are to have, the assassi- 
nations will be carried on with more vigor than ever. 

The revolution in France has caused some little excitement 
amongst both the officers and soldiers, and are talking about 
getting up a meeting. 

Friday, April 14, 1848. — This morning the Second Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania Volunteers were paid off. So, of course, 
they had plenty of cash and plenty to drink, and some found 
the way into the guard-house for being beastly drunk. In the 
evening there was a mass meeting in the city of Mexico 
among the officers in favor of the revolution in France. Gen. 
Joseph Lane was called to the chair, and he made a telling 
speech in regard of the revolution and the free France. The 
utmost enthusiasm prevailed through the whole meeting. The 
news is now that the great Republic of P" ranee has carried the 
throne. 

Saturday, April 15, 1848.— This morning we received the 

gratifying intelligence that the seven companies belonging to 

our regiment were at El Penon, and that they will be here in 

a few hours. So at noon the advance came in, and took up 

34 



530 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

their quarters in the convento, opposite the Sociedal del 
Progress. So, on the strength of their arrival, we had some 
news of incident, marching, etc. ; also informed that our late 
Corp. Roland C. Malone, who was discharged and on his way 
home, received by accident a shot through the hand by one of 
our soldiers. Our seven companies look more like Indians 
or leperos than American soldiers. They are all in good 
spirits. 

Sunday, April i6, 1848. — This morning there was a detail 
of five men from each company to clear out the quarters for 
the coming seven companies. It was quite a job, and kept the 
men busy until noon. The companies just arrived gave them- 
selves a good scrubbing, as they nearly all looked like so 
many wild Indians. Some had caps on, some straw hats, 
some Mexican military hats, and some had nothing on their 
heads. In the evening the seven companies moved from the 
convent to their former old quarters. The boys speak higly 
and very complimentary of Col. Black. 

Monday, April, 17, 1848. — This morning I noticed that our 
new comers were very busy in fixing up their quarters, 
muskets, equipments, etc. To-day the city papers speak very 
flattering of Col. Black as a disciplinarian and worthy commander 
of an expedition. In the evening our officers, and the ones 
just arrived, had a jubilee, toasts, incidents and complimentary 
speeches were made. Peace stock again took a rise away up, 
and all the talk is about a speedy peace, and about us soon 
going home. I must confess things are beginning to look very 
encouraging and prosperous. 

After the lights were put out, Corp. Peter Ahl started a 
conundrum. 

" Why is a Mexican like an oil can?" All guessed, but 
none could answer. Give it up. " Because he is a greaser." 
[Laughter.] 

Tuesday., April 18, 1848. — To day is the first anniversary of 
the battle of Cerro Gordo — the second triumphant victory of 
Gen. Scott's army, after the capture and surrender of Vera 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 531 

Cruz, in Mexico, and it was, without doubt, one of the most 
briUiant victories for the United States army. It broke the 
backbone of this war, and its results opened up the National 
Road to our gallant little army — the way to the halls of the 
Montezumas. Yes, my readers, to-day one year ago about ten 
thousand American troops, fatigued and exhausted from long 
marching, were engaged in this terrible attack on that strong 
and well-fortified position, with some fifteen thousand Mexican 
troops, well armed, equipped and commanded by their great 
chieftain. Gen. Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna, besides other 
generals whose fame stood high in military ranks. 

Thus, the fifteen thousand Mexican troops which, according 
to the calculations usually made in such cases, should have 
been equal to four times the number of our forces, or about 
seventy-five thousand men. Yet our little army was brilliantly 
successful, carrying the strongly-fortified position by assault, 
and the enemy were utterly routed and hotly pursued in all 
directions — Gen. Santa Anna leaving behind him nearly four 
thousand prisoners, with five of the best generals in his army, 
over forty-three pieces of bronze artillery,'*' over five thousand 
stand of arms, with no end of ammunition and materials of 
war — all captured in this single battle of Cerro Gordo. The 
disaster of Gen. Santa Anna and his army was complete. 
Thus winning this glorious victory against extraordinary odds, 
the American people cannot too often testify their gratitude to 
the gallant spirits who added such trophies and renown to 
their national glory. 

But it pains me to mention that up to this date our Congress 
and Government have never thanked our army for this bril- 
liant achievement, and still more grievous to own that the 
gallant hero. Gen. Scott, who led us into that memorable field, 
is now a prisoner — dragged from us to make room for another 
soldier, but no better one. Yes, he has already left us ; he 
will return to the United States, from which he has been 
absent for one year and a half, and it is painful to reflect that 

* Some of these very pieces are now on the Capitol Hill, Harrisburg, Pa. 



532 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

he returns home, after his brilliant and unsurpassed achieve- 
ment, under the circumstances which he does. 

He has given the gallant little army which he led possession 
of the imperial city of the Aztec ; in fact, it may well be said 
the whole Republic of Mexico. As the prospects now are, 
there will be peace, and all soon return home. What a grand 
reception will not the great Captain of the age, the Second 
Conqueror of the Republic of Mexico, meet with upon his 
landing at New Orleans, and as he progresses on his way to 
Washington City,, and there stands before his accusers ! Gen. 
Worth will go out of office with his fair fame smirched and 
dimmed. I believe his fame will grow brighter at every step 
of the investigation ; it cannot be otherwise, and the day is 
not remote when even his few revilers and enemies in the 
White Hous®. will acknowledge the lofty pre-eminence of the 
Conqueror of Mexico. Such was the treatment of the Second 
Conqueror of Mexico, and, as I said before, in place of our 
Government trying to dishonor or disgrace him (Scott) he will 
gain more friends from the masses of the people who know 
his merits. 

A wreath bind — 
" Yes, there or wherever in story or song 
His name shall be sounded in praise, 
Grateful memory still shall the echo prolong, 
And his statue of honor shall raise. 
On no nobler brow can the American rest 
Than the brow of our glorious General Winfield Scott." 

Coppee. 

Wednesday , April 19, 1848. — This morning is very disagree- 
able ; raining and blowing until 10 o'clock a. m., when it 
cleared off The peace news to-day is quite unfavorable ; in 
place of looking brighter and brighter, it looks darker. The 
city papers again compliment the First Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers for their quick march to and from Vera Cruz, say- 
ing that the Pennsylvania boys may well be called the march- 
incf reeiment of the United States service. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 533 

This evening Col. Jack Hayes with his command arrived from 
Puebla City, they being out scouting and hunting up gucri/las. 

Thursday, April 20, 1848. — This morning Alburtus Welsh, 
Zach. Taylor and myself went to the city in a coach which is 
now running again. It was Holy Thursday, which is a great 
day amongst the Mexicans. At every corner we came to, the 
streets were arched over with bowers made of green. Under 
these arches the Mexicans offered for sale ice cream and other 
refreshments The holydays and festivals are conducted here 
a good deal like those at home, with all kinds of amusements 
and eatables. It has the effect of bringing all classes of people 
together. At home most of our poor people are clad equal 
with the rich, but here in this country I can see no change in 
the poor classes. They have the one dress (that is, what is of 
it) constantly on, and I don't believe that they ever change ; 
keep it on until entirely worn out. 

As I stated before, at these holydays or festivals all classes 
of people congregate, and I can count five different classes. 
First, are the real white foreigners, who are mostly very 
wealthy ; second, are a class of whites, and are the living 
descendants of the Spaniards, they are sometimes called 
Creoles ; third, are those who call themselves white, and are 
partly mixed ; fourth, are the Indians and leperos, who some- 
times lives in huts, villages, and outskirts of all towns in 
Mexico ; fifth, are the Mestizos^ or mixed Indian, who look 
like some of our mixed negroes in the South, called mulattos ; 
but of all the classes of men is the leperos, who are the most 
miserable set of living beings you ever heard tell of, they are 
the remnants of the Comanche tribe of Indians, and go 
through the streets- of cities with only a blanket wrapped 
around them. The leperos, it will be remembered, were that 
portion of the mob of Mexico, which fired on our troops, and 
which has since had a hand in most of the assassinations of 
our soldiers. 

Nobody can tell the poor lepero's occupation. God only 
knows how he lives, or what he lives on. He has almost as 



534 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

little need of the tailor as Adam and Eve had in the Garden 
of Eden. His skin drinks the sun at every pore, and an 
edict to require the Icpcros to wear breeches would extinguish 
the race. A lepero in a whole pair of breeches would be no 
longer a lepero, for one want creates another. The lepero is 
emphatically the child of nature, the shining sun, the murmur- 
ing breeze, the smiling face of nature is his birthright and his 
property. Other men have houses, haciendas and lands. The 
world belongs to the lepero. He has no master. He knows 
no law. He eats when he is hungry, drinks when he is 
thirsty and sleeps where and when he is sleepy. Other men 
rest from their labors. The lepero works when he is tired of 
laziness. His work, however, never lasts more than an hour, 
seldom more than ten or fifteen minutes, just long enough to 
provide for the few and small wants of the day. He carries a 
traveller's trunk to his lodgings, does anything that comes 
under his hand, picking pockets included, and holds out his 
hands for charity. The chief visible occupation of the lepero 
is to amuse himself; and the city of Mexico, in time of peace, 
does not lack cheap amusement. There are military reviews, 
religious processions and music, which the lepero loves to 
listen to ; dances, bull-fights, horse races and churches, to 
which the leperos is strongly attached, and is a pretty steady 
frequenter, for the lepero loves to hear a good sermon 
preached. The lepero has no political opinions ; you may 
say what you please in his presence of his country, or curse 
its rulers. He cares not whether you abuse Gen. Santa Anna, 
Gen. Bustamenta Herrera, or Paredes, or how much, provided 
you say nothing derogatory to the Virgin of Guadaloupa you 
are safe ; but the moment you touch that point look out for 
the knife. In the day time the lepero is as harmless as any 
living being that walks under God's sun. He will attack no 
one in daylight, and is afraid of drunkards, and particularly 
drunken soldiers, but at night the lepero fears no one, and 
particularly the drunken soldier ; they are the first ones the 
lepero goes for, plunging the knife or dagger in the back of 




A MEXICAN LEPERO. 



536 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

his man, goes through his pockets, and if he don't find much 
leaves him lay wounded, but if he has any kind of a prize, or 
large amount of money about him, he kills him and puts him 
out of the way. They are seldom ever caught, and few are 
ever punished for crimes committed, thinking there would be 
no use. 

There have been several rumors of late of insurrections 
amongst the Indians. Should these Indians rebel against the 
Mexican Government, it wouldn't, at the present time, be long 
before peace would come. The Indians have a strong feeling 
against the old Spanish rule. They were the original inhabi- 
tants of this country ; the true scions and representatives of 
the proud Aztec race. The blood of the lamented Monte- 
zumas still flows in their veins, and theirs is the lineage of 
kings. The conquest stripped them of their power and conse- 
quence, and from being master they became servants and slaves. 
Hence it is that the Indians of Mexico look upon the Spaniards 
with very much the same feeling with which the Spaniards or 
Mexicans look upon the Americans. 

With the aid of the Indians at this time, it wouldn't take long 
to strike the government of Mexico from existence. So, if the 
treaty is not approved, war between the nations should be 
renewed. The Indians of the country will act an insignificant 
part in this contest. They have it in their power to inflict 
punishment on the Spanish-Mexicans, and the descendants of 
conquered Aztec will regain their country and empire, which 
they lost by treachery in the days of Montezumas. 

Friday, April 21, 1848. — This morning one of the Massa- 
chusetts Volunteers was buried. When the funeral passed the 
office of the guard-house, the guard turned out and presented 
arms. The court-martial is still sitting at San Angel. The 
case of Capt. Loeser is now before the court. Capt. Loeser, of 
the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, is to be court- 
martialed for being present at the time his regiment, the Second 
Pennsylvania, rotten-egged one of the Massachusetts officers 
who undertook to buck-and-gag one of the guards. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 537 

Yesterday afternoon Lieut. -Col. Loomis entered the city of 
Mexico from Vera Cruz. He brings a large train, accom- 
panied by two hundred and fifty pack mules ; also, Capt. 
Shoover's battery comes with the train. 

Saturday, April 22, 1848. — To-day is the first anniversary 
of the surrender of the castle of Perote, the second Gibraltar. 

Sunday, April 23, 1848. — This morning it is reported that 
the ten regiment bill has passed both houses and received the 
President's signature, and is now a law ; and that the whole 
Volunteer division will be recalled from the United States 
service. 

This evening, on dress parade, orders were read to us that 
Capt. Loeser, of the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, would be suspended from his rank of command for two 
months, and to forfeit all his pay and allowances during that 
time, for being present at a mutinous meeting in regard to the 
Massachusetts officers who wanted to buck and gag one of the 
guard for a trifling offence, and for this act some of the Second 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers rotten-egged the Massa- 
chusetts officer in the presence of Capt. Loeser, who was held 
accountable for not suppressing it — in fact, Capt. Loeser (who 
hails from Reading, Pa.,) urging them to do it. {So he ought.) 

Monday, April 24, 1848. — This morning it is currently re- 
ported that the Mexicans have a quorum at Queretaro. 

This afternoon we were visited by a very hard rain, accom- 
panied by thundering and lighting. 

Tuesday, April 25, 1848. — This morning the peace stock is 
again in the field, and Lieut.-Col. Black told me that he 
thought we would be on our way home in about one month's 
time. He gave it as his own opinion. 

Wednesday, April 26, 1848.— -This morning peace is again 
in our quarters. I am told that there is heavy betting in the 
city in its favor. 

T/mrsday^ April 27, 1848. — This morning I paid a visit to 
Churubusco. Here is the National Guard-house, now guarded 
and occupied by us as a guard-house, and is nearly full of 



538 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Mexican greasers for various crimes. Amongst them I saw 
the one that shot at Col. Ward Burnett and Major F. L. Bow- 
man several evenings ago. I saw some of the largest and 
finest squirrels running through this section of country. 

Friday, April 28, 1848. — This morning is beautiful ; the 
heavy rains of the past week, accompanied as they were with 
extraordinary discharges of electricity, have had the effect of 
cooling the air, and brought out a good many of the black-eyed 
senoritas, promenading around the orchard groves. 

On dress parade orders were read that we will be mustered 
in the United States service to-morrow. 

Saturday, April 29, 1848. — This morning most of our 
soldiers are busy in cleaning up, to be ready to be mustered in 
the United States service again. 

At noon word came to our quarters that the mustering is 
postponed until to-morrow. 

To-day we drew clothing for the whole regiment, and every 
company received their letters to put on their caps. So this 
evening the whole regiment appeared on dress parade with the 
letter of their respective companies. 

To-night it is rumored that Gens. Paredes, Almonta and 
Bustamente had marched with an army of five thousand troops 
upon the Mexican Government at Queretaro City, and broken 
up the Congress. If this is true, the armistice is broken, and 
hostilities will soon commence again. 

Poor Mexico ! there seems to be evil-minded of both parties, 
for every cause has its traitors. Speaking of Gen. Bustamente 
puts me in mind of part of his history. In 1841 Gen. Busta- 
mente effected a loan of ^1,200,000. He received for it 
;^200,ooo cash, and one million in paper credits of the govern- 
ment, which were selling at the time in market for nine cents 
on the dollar. So hard pressed at that time was the govern- 
ment that it sold the coining privilege of Guanajuato for four- 
teen years, receiving therefor ^/i.CXDO cash, when they were 
offered ;^400,ooo if they would take it in yearly instalments of 
i,ooo each. Thus, Bustamente had entirely stripped the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 539 

country of almost every element of wealth upon which he 
could lay hands ; and this is what he is after now — the money 
bag. 

To-day I have the headache, which is as painful and un- 
pleasant a complaint as the toothache, which I am seldom 
rid of 

Sunday^ April 30, 1848. — This morning, at 10 o'clock, we 
were formed into line and marched to the old parade-ground, 
and there mustered into the United States service by Lieut.-Col. 
Abercrombie. Company after company were mustered, after 
which they returned to their quarters. The wounded and 
diarrhoea blues fell in on the left and answered to their names 
when called. Our regiment, as usual, was highly praised by 
the Inspector-General. This evening the report of Gens. 
Paredes, Bustamente and Almonta about the breaking up of 
Congress is contradicted and all false. 

Monday, May I, 1848. — -This morning, at 9 o'clock, we were 
formed in front of our quarters, after which we marched to the 
parade-ground, where we met the New York, Massachusetts 
South Carolina and Pennsylvania Regiments, also the splendid 
light battery, under the command of Lieut. French, of the Third 
Artillery ; after which we were all put in our proper positions. 
We were then reviewed by Gens. Patterson and Worth and our 
American Commissioners, Messrs. Sevier and Clifford, accom- 
panied by Col. — now Gen.— Riley, Major Leonard and about 
twenty other officers. When the brigade was in proper position, 
Gens. Patterson and Worth and other officers advanced, when 
the band struck up the reveille. At this the Generals uncov- 
ered, and then proceeded to the right of the brigade, and passed 
along the line to review. As they passed, the music of each 
regiment struck up " Hail to the Chief," while the Light Bat- 
tery was firing blank cartridges and manoeuvring. After the 
review was over, we were then taken through the field move- 
ments, such as close and open column, eschelon and oblique 
movements. We formed squares, and when our regiment 
formed the square, the Messrs. Sevier and Clifford rode in the 



540 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

centre ; after which we formed a solid square around them, 
and then we charged bayonets. After we had deployed square, 
Mr. Sevier rode up to Gen. Patterson and said, " General, I 
was in the solid square." " Yes," replied the General, "and 
you would, in case of danger, be safe amongst those boys ! " 
[Laughter.] At this the regiment turned out and came to a 
" present arms " as they passed, after which they left for the 
city of Mexico. At the same time Lieut. French's battery 
was on the road firing a salute as the officers passed, after 
which we marched to the front of our quarters, and then dis- 
missed — every soldier saying he hoped that that would be the 
last field drill in Mexico. 

In the evening, Col. Dominguez's Spy Company passed our 
quarters ; they are out on scouting duty. 

Tuesday i May 2, 1848. — This morning the city papers have 
in a very flattering account of the volunteer review yesterday, 
saying that we look more like old regulars than volunteers. 

In the evening we received news that the Mexican Congress 
have a quorum, and that a diligence left the city this morning 
with two senators for the seat of government at Queretaro. 

Wednesday, May 3, 1848. — This morning the news is very 
exciting, on account of the city papers being full of peace. 

The express which came in last night from Queretaro states 
that there is now a quorum in both branches, and that they 
are all anxious for the arrival of our peace commissioners, 
Messrs. Sevier and Clifford. Also, rumors have it that Gen. 
Almonta has declared to support the present government of 
Mexico, and not heading any revolution movement, and that 
Gen. Paredes has asked for his passport to leave the country. 
The Mexican papers are out strong against him for trying to 
injure the Republic of Mexico. Old padre Jaraiita, is at San 
Louis Potosi, but doing nothing on either side. 

In the evening we received news that the advance guard of 
the train going down to Vera Cruz charged upon a party of 
often United States soldiers (Irish deserters), and captured five 
of them and all their horses. One deserter was killed, and the 
other four took to the ravine and made their escape. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 541 

TJiursday, May 4, 1848. — This morning the city papers are 
again full of peace. That a quorum of the members of the 
two branches of the Mexican Congress at Queretaro has at 
last been formed, and that this body is now in session ready to 
proceed to the discharge of its legislative duties. 

It is believed that the majority of the members are in favor 
of ratifying the treaty of peace. It also speaks in praise of 
the American guards for their heroic and daring courage in 
charging and capturing these Irish-American deserters ; 
capturing all their arms, which consisted of sabres, carbines, 
pistols and American rifles. The guard that captured these 
men belonged to the mounted rifle company of Capt. Long, 
all commanded by Lieut. Lilly. Good for Lilly. 

To-day one of Capt. Binder's men, of the First Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, named Schiches, was drowned in a small mill- 
pond near our quarters ; how it happened no one seemed to 
know. His company buried him this evening. 

Friday, May 5, 1848.—- This morning our regiment received 
a very large mail ; but, as usual, I received but one letter. 
Wait until I get back again, I will h^ve them all arrested, 
court-martialed, bucked and gagged for violating their 
promises. The letters received by our men mostly all speak 
of the removal of Gen. Scott, and expecting us to come home 
soon. 

This afternoon a report came from the city stating that on 
Saturday last the diligence, running between this city and 
Puebla, was fired upon from both sides of the road by the 
guerillas near Cordova ; oqe of our guards, who was on top 
of the stage, was shot in t}ie head, fell off killed ; others were 
slightly wounded. The robbers on the road, between this and 
Puebla, are increasing, they are covered by rascals and 
ladrones, and some of t^em will yet he caught, and will swing 
from a tree before tliey are much older. 

This evening Joseph C. Taylor and myself took a walk to 
Churubusco. This place, before Conqueror Cortez's time, was 
qalfed Huitzilap|4c|ico, and was at that time a good tamano 



542 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

(sized) city, but now under the civilized Mexican government. 
It contains one church, convento, and an out-house. 

Saturday, May 6, 1848. — This morning the news from 
Queretaro is not so encouraging. It states that there is a 
party in the Mexican Congress rallying under the name of 
Pureza (Purity), who are doing everything in their power to 
prevent the union of Congress, and had also determined at 
their meetings, or caucuses, that whenever the treaty should be 
brought up in Chamber of Deputies they would withdraw or 
resign for the purpose of preventing a quorum. Is it possible 
that any Mexicans can be found so degraded and corrupt as 
to resort to such a mean course? If the Ptiros are determined 
to withdraw from their seats for the purpose of preventing a 
quorum, and to prevent the treaty from being passed they will 
be marked men for some time to come. The mass of the 
people are in favor of peace all the time, but Pena y Pena, 
who is, I believe. President of the Senate, says that they must 
• hold their seats and serve the Government or lose their rights 
of citizens*liip. Good for Pena y Pena. They must come and 
remain and perform the high duties which they were chosen to 
perform. Let our prayers be that the Moderados and Piiros, 
between wealth and poverty, may put their heads and minds 
together and support the legal Government, which is for 
peace ; and the storm, which is now brewing at Queretaro, may 
die an everlasting death, and peace and harmony prevail. 

Sunday, May 7, 1848.— This morning we had a company 
inspection at our quarters, inspected by our genial first Lieut. 
Aquilla Haines, who gave us a little taffy for neat appearance. 

At noon Gen. Robert Patterson paid a visit to our villa, San 
Angel, going through all the different quarters and hospitals, 
examining their quarters, and encouraging the sick and 
wounded soldiers, by telling them to keep their courage up, 
that we all will soon be on our way home, as the peace pros- 
pect looks very encouraging — that it is believed that there are 
only eighteen or twenty advocates of war. We are all anxiously 
awaiting for that highly interesting news frofi] Queretaro which 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 543 

will be watched with great interest on both sides ; and we 
hope there will be nothing like an explosion. If so, if the 
Piiros, the anti-peace and annexation party, are determined 
upon mischief, they should be made to feel and understand 
that eighteen or twenty, who style themselves as legislators, 
have not the power to set aside the popular will of the people, 
and render all legislation a perfect nullity. As I said before, 
these men will be marked, and branded cowards. 

I learn to-day that the guerillas, who fired upon the diligence 
from Puebla on Saturday last week at Cordova, were captured 
at Chaico by a detachment of Col. William Irvine, Fifth Ohio 
Volunteers, camped at Rio Frio. They were seven in number, 
and are now in .safe custody. Upon one of them being brought 
out to receive a few shots, his own brother came forward and 
confessed the whole matter. The soldier who accompanied 
the diligence as a guard was shot dead, as stated, and his 
musket was found at Chaico. We hope these murderers and 
plunderers will receive the punishment which is due them ; 
they have, without a doubt, been at the bottom of most of the 
recent robberies between this and Puebla City. 

The diligence from Puebla came in last evening without 
being attacked ; the driver and guard did not even see a 
ladrone. The robbers who have so long infested that road are 
now in close confinement at Rio Frio ; also, the four Mexicans 
recently taken to Rio Frio, on a charge of murdering and 
mutilating two American soldiers, have been tried, and three of 
them found guilty, to be hung. Unless the Commander-in- 
Chief, Gen. William O. Butler, should interpose, they must 
suffer death. A priest and thirteen others have been arrested 
in the neighborhood of Guadaloupa on a charge of prompting 
desertions from our army. Yesterday they were brought 
before Major Gait, and, after undergoing an examination, the 
cases were referred to a council of war. They are now all in 
confinement at |he palace. The priest gave his name as 
Pasqual Pastrato, but his real name is Antonio Triate. 

Later news from Queretaro confirms the statement that a 



544 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

quorum was present in both Chambers, viz., 73 Deputies and 
22 Senators were organized in due form. So the story circu- 
lated by the treacherous disorganizers against peace appears 
to be absolutely false. The opposition of the pitros, whose 
deputies first refused to assemble at Queretaro, was of a short 
duration. They soon learned that it was impossible, the way 
things looked, to prevent the dismemberment of Mexico. So 
there is some recuperative energy in the bosom of Mexico yet, 
though her future seems dark and dubious ; yet there are 
many breaks in the clouds, and many inducements for her 
wise and good to hope and struggle on. So our hopes of 
Mexico and peace prospect are better, but it behooves the 
present government to be on the alert. The courage and 
energy of the President and his Cabinet thus far, we may add, 
has excited in our army nothing short of our admiration. 

Monday, May 8, 1848. — This morning, as one of our offi- 
cers was riding along, with two gentle-looking Mexicans, on 
the road leading to Cuyoacan, one of these gentle Mexicans 
snatched his (the officer's) six-shooter from its holster, and 
shot him through the leg and slightly wounded the horse in 
the side, at which the horse became frightened and ran off, 
carrying his rider safely to the city of Mexico. The two pre- 
tended gentle Mexicans made their escape. 

This is a lovely May morning ; the sky overhead is like a 
magnificent blue vault. Friend Alburtus Welsh and myself took 
a walk to the orange grove. Here the air is full of the per- 
fume of flowers ; the birds are flying around and among the 
trees and in the warm sun, singing. The whole put me in 
mind of the many Mays I spent in Lancaster County. 

This evening San Angel was thrown into a state of excite- 
ment on account of one of the Massachusetts soldiers murder- 
ing his wife. Jealousy was supposed to be the cause of the 
rash act. The murderer made his escape, but a guard is now 
in pursuit of him to bring him to justice for his cowardly act. 
The parties are both Irish, and he has been jealous of his wife 
ever since they were encamped at the Villa of San Angelj 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 545 

Tuesday, May o^, 1848. — This morning, the man who killed 
his wife last evening was arrested near San Angel, and put in 
the guard-house to await his trial for murder. 

This evening I am informed by one of the New Yorkers 
that Alexander S. Forbes, of New York City, arrived in the 
city of Mexico. He is appointed Special Commissioner by 
the authorities of New York City for the purpose of taking up 
the dead bodies of the gallant officers, Lieut.-Col. Charles 
Baxter, Capts. James Barclay and Pearson, Lieuts. Charles F. 
Gallagher and Chandler — all belonging to the New York regi- 
ment of volunteers. They were mostly all young officers, who 
sacrificed their lives in Mexico upon the altar of patriotism 
and devotion to their country's flag. They will be taken to 
New York City, and there buried with great military honors. 
Nothing is said about taking up the bodies of poor privates 
who fell and — like the officers — offered up their lives for their 
country's cause — the men who saw war in all its horrors on 
the march, in camp and on the battle-fields, the hardship and 
trying labors of military life devolved on them, the luxuries of 
a camp they never knew, the attractions of society in a for- 
eign country, such as was found in Mexico, they never enjoyed; 
public notices of their gallantry were seldom given, they were 
cut down in the discharge of their duty — either by disease or 
by bullets ; they are left to remain where they fell on the field 
of their triumphant fame. 

Wednesday, May 10, 1848. — This morning several of us 
went to the city. We went by the way of Cuyoacan, and 
stopped at a place called The Ranchos, where we got some- 
thing to eat. It will not be out of place to note the bill of fare 
in these ranchos, and how coffee is prepared in these diggings. 
The coffee is burned, or rather roasted. When wanted for 
use, a little is placed on a flat stone and rolled with another 
stone somewhat resembling in shape an old-fashioned rolling- 
pin. With these implements the coffee is powdered very fine, 
after which it is put into a kettle of boiling water. When it 
begins to. bpi|, a little sugar raised in this part of the country 
35 



546 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

is poured into it. After boiling four or five minutes, it is ready- 
to drink, and better coffee I never tasted. The charge is a 
malgo, or five cents, a cup ; if you drink leche (milk) the price 
is ten cents. Spirituous liquors are found at almost every 
rancho. The charges for drinks are the same as for coffee. 
Boiled rice, green corn and bread of a tolerable quality may be 
enumerated among the eatables to be obtained on the passage ; 
jerked beef may be obtained also, but it is not fit for a white 
man to eat, unless he be on the point of starvation. A break- 
fast can be served up in good style. It consists of omelette, 
boiled eggs, beefsteak, fried plantains, chopped beef, bread and 
coffee. Dinner is composed of fowls, game, soup, oranges and 
bananas. Started for San Angel all right. 

Thursday, May 1 1, 1848. — This morning I visited the guard- 
house. Here I saw the Massachusetts Volunteer who killed 
his wife a few days ago, in the plaza of San Angel ; his name 
is Patrick Duffy. He told me that the officers of his regiment 
dare not court-martial him, unless they tell the truth and 
shame the devil. So there must be something behind the 
biomba (screen) which won't do to bring to light, for fear of 
hurting somebody high in rank. No doubt there are some 
very strange circumstances connected with the affair ; time 
will tell the tale. 

I saw in last Monday's Weekly Star, for the United States, 
that the Mexican Government at Queretaro has yielded several 
points of etiquette which they had previously held to, and one 
of them the admission into their new capital of an American 
escort of sixty men with the Commissioners, whom they are 
looking for to come daily ; so things begin to look cheerful. 
We are watching their action with keen eye, for from there must 
either come a great deal of glory or sadness. Pray let us have 
the great Jnirrah. Also that the City Council of Mexico have 
appropriated fifty dollars to the San Patricio prisoners, and it 
calls upon its compatriots to go and do likewise. These men 
have done some service to the Mexican Government by de- 
serting from our army and joining that pf the ^nemy, and why 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 547 

should the Mexicans be so backward in administering to their 
support ; they, Hke the rest of the deserters, should all be hung. 

Mr. Leverty, t*lie Canadian Frenchman, who was with Lieuts. 
Dutton and Hare, in the robbery and murder some time ago, 
is to be tried before the Mexican court. 

Friday^ May 12, 1848. — This morning there is no news stir- 
ring, but at noon there was an exciting rumor brought out 
from the city, saying that the city of New Orleans has been 
sunk by an earthquake ; that there has been a tremendous 
loss of life and property. This is truly very alarming news, 
and many think that it may be too true, but I have my doubts 
about all those wild rumors ; they are mostly thrown out for 
speculation. I see by the papers that Gen. Scott, our gallant 
old commander, arrived at Vera Cruz on the ist inst., and 
embarked on board the brig " Petersburg" and sailed for New 
York, from whence he will proceed directly to his residence at 
Elizabethtown, N. J. 

Saturday, May 13, 1848. — This morning is my birthday, 
having been born on the 13th of May, 1825, which makes me 
twenty-three years of age. The news from Queretaro is en- 
couraging; the peace men say that they will have eighty depu- 
ties in attendance, sixty-five of whom are advocates of peace, 
and fifteen only upon whom Gen. Almonte relies for opposi- 
tion to the treaty. This is the extent of the influence against 
the general views of order and patriotism which prevail in both 
Chambers. 

Sunday, May 14, 1848. — This morning the report of New 
Orleans being sunk and destroyed is contradicted — good news. 
At noon the volunteer brigade encamped at Molino del Rey 
moved their quarters to San Antonio— a more comfortable and 
healthier place and far better water. They passed our quar- 
ters. I thought they were the hardest and roughest-looking 
soldiers I ever saw— none regularly uniformed and looked 
like raw militiamen. 

This evening the report of Gen. Paredes having asked for 
his passport tc) leave the country is confirmed. The country 



548 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

is well rid of such heroes. Every one who knows his history 
knows that he is nothing but a plotter and a disorganizer in 
all the political movements in this country. He is justly hated 
by a large majority of his countrymen. He is politically a 
dead cock in the pit and buried. Most every sensible Mexican 
in the country would have lent his hand to dig his grave. He, 
like his good old friend Gen. Santa Anna, has left his country 
for his country's good ; and I don't think that there will ever 
rise a party in Mexico to recall either one of these two ex- 
generals. Still, their absence will leave two parties in op- 
position to the regeneration and progress of Mexico. The 
everlasting clergy, the priest, nuns and all the paid officials 
belonging to that Holy Catholic Church and the army ; the 
extravagant and unmanly opposition of the piu'os. The army, 
continually losing ground during the late years, has at length 
lost all respect and consideration of the people. The rude 
blow of the present war has shaken many scales from the 
Mexican eyes. The obstinacy of the so-called clergy is 
growing every day more conspicuous and contemptible ; her 
whole history (as frequently mentioned) is full of outrages, 
forbearance and corruption. Turn which way you will, the 
fact forever meets us in the face that education is the only clue 
by which the embroiled snarl of Mexican chaos can be un- 
ravelled into order and law. 

Monday, May 15, 1848. — This morning a large force of 
Mexican cavalry and lancers came in from Queretaro City with 
despatches, but we could not learn their contents, but it was 
supposed that it was the acting President's, Penia y Penia, 
message to be put in type for to-morrow's paper. At noon a 
large train of empty wagons went to the city of Tuluco, where 
Gen. Cadwalader's brigade is encamped. Several of our men 
went along to see the town. Also a very large train went to 
San Antonio, where the Tejinesseeans, Kentuckians, and 
other volunteers, are now quartered. It was time that 
this brigade had changed their quarters from Molino del Rey, 
for it was very unhealthy, they were dying off like so many 
sheep. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 549 

To-day is the anniversary of the surrender of the city of 
Puebla. This evening Jim Sawyer, who is one of the working 
hghts and runners of the Hibernia Engine Co., No. i, of 
Philadelphia, and expects to run with the machine soon again, 
called to see us. He says that the peace proposition will 
surely pass. 

Tuesday, May i6, 1848. — This morning the paper contains 
Tenia y Tenia's message, and it is a most ably gotten up 
document, in fact it is the best document that I have read 
since I have been in Mexico, or even in the United States, and 
shows that the President of the Republic of Mexico is a 
scholar as well as a statesman. He plainly shows in his able 
written message his determination to make peace, and says 
that if there is any member of Congress that resigns his seat 
during this present session that member, or members, shall 
lose their rights of citizenship, and be heavily fined. He calls 
upon the members to take a vote soon. 

Wednesday^ May 17, 1848. — This morning the papers con- 
tain the conclusion of Tenia y Penia's Message, and Senor Rosa, 
a Senator, made a very eloquent speech, before the opening of 
Congress, in regard to the present and fearful condition of the 
republic of Mexico, strongly advocating peace, if honorably 
obtained ; if not, there are fifty thousand Mexicans who are 
yet unwhipped {cheers) ; but winds up, let us make peace if 
possible. 

In the afternoon the cartridges were gathered in from the 
different companies, and handed over to the Ordnance Depart- 
ment. This is done to keep the soldiers from shooting cattle 
on our way down to Vera Cruz ; but the cartridges were not 
all returned. 

In the evening we received news that Don Manuel De La 
Penia y Penia was elected President over Gen. Herrera by 
eleven to four votes — close running. I suppose these are the 
four that threatened to resign their seats in Congress when the 
peace proposition was to be brought up, as Gen. Herrera was 
the war candidate. This vote puts the peace proposition on a 
fair basis, and may as well be called approved. 



550 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Thursday, May i8, 1848. — This morning blank cartridges 
were served to our company and, I believe, to all the compa- 
nies in the volunteer division. At noon we were ordered to 
march out to the parade-ground to have a drill with blank 
cartridges ; but, owing to the heavy rain just coming up, it 
was postponed until to-morrow. 

This evening it is rumored that Lieuts. Isaac P. Hare and 
Benj. F. Button, both of the Second Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, will be hung in the citadel or arsenal yard, city 
of Mexico, on the twenty-fifth of this month. This news has 
caused considerable excitement at San Angel and in the city, 
and particularly among the victim's friends, who are talking 
about getting up a petition, to be signed, for a pardon, they 
having both been brave and gallant officers. 

Friday, May 19, 1848. — This morning, rumors that peace 
has passed the House. In the afternoon we marched out to 
the field to drill. During the firing of blank cartridges by the 
regiment, one of Capt. Binder's (Co. E) men shot away his 
ramrod, and came near shooting a Icpcro, after which we 
marched back to our quarters. 

Saturday, May 20, 1848. — This morning, by accident, the 
quarters of Co. A, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
were nearly destroyed by the explosion of some cartridges 
(about twenty-five pounds of powder). Two of the company 
were dangerously wounded and burned ; their names are 
Sergt. Clark Bruton and Private Mason ; they are not expected 
to live. 

I forgot to note that on dress parade last evening the death 
sentence of Lieut. Hare and Adjt. Button was read. They 
are to be hung on the 25th inst. 

In the evening the two unfortunate men who were so badly 
burned were taken to the hospital ; they are not expected to 
live long, being burned almost to a crisp. 

Sunday, May 21, 1848. — This morning there is no news and 
nothing doing ; so a party of us went to the Orchard Groves. 

At noon an extra paper came out from the city saying that 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 551 

the peace proposition had passed the House by a majority of 
fifty-one to thirty-five. This raised the peace stock, and six 
cheers were given for peace and three for Penia y Penia, for 
his determination and stand he took in favor of peace. 

Monday, May 22, 1848. — This morning all the talk is about 
the peace. 

At noon our company got paired off. I did not draw my 
money in consequence of us going home soon, 

Tuesday, May 23, 1848. — This morning myself and three 
others got permission from our Lieut. Haines to go to the 
city to purchase several cnriosidades (curiosities) to take home. 
We went by the way of Tacubaya Road. On our way we 
noticed several of our men digging up some of the deserters 
who were hung in September last. The ropes were still around 
their necks. They are to cut their heads off, and then boil the 
meat off and take their skulls to the United States. Arrived 
at Tacubaya about 10 o'clock. Here is Gen. Worth's encamp- 
ment. This town, before Cortez's time, was called Tlapan. 
It was a strong and large city, and it was by this route Cortez 
first retreated. It was afterwards, like nearly all the Mexi- 
can cities, destroyed by the order of Cortez. It seems that 
almost every Mexican we meet either on the road or in this 
city we could read the brand of peace in his smiling face — 
shaking hands with such good feeling and saying " Silcncia, 
Americanos^ The streets were thronged ; crowds of aged 
matrons and charming senoritas were seen wending their way 
through the population. Yet it is not the stirring multitude 
which characterizes our Atlantic cities ; there is the absence of 
bustling business and rattling of wagons and carts, shrieking 
of whistles, etc. 

Being thirsty, we entered the gate of a large and beautiful 
casa (or a gentleman's hacienda). Here a beautiful fountain 
stood in the centre of the square ; a cup being attached to it, 
we took a drink. At this, the Don (Mr.) of the casa came out 
on the piazza, and saluted us by saying, " Silencia, Americanos" 
called us up into his well-adorned sitting-room, and gave each 



552 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

of us a drink of wine in honor of peace, which we, of course, 
drank with great reHsh. His family and a daughter, who was 
hke a dream of poetry, that may not be written or told — ex- 
ceedingly beautiful — drank with us, at the same time saying, 
" Mucho bellos, valentias Americanos^ After talking, and taking 
several drinks between times, he took and showed us his large 
library. Some books are over three hundred years old, mostly 
histories of Mexico and Spain. He has a history called " The 
Rulers of Mexico," which is over three hundred years old, 
and I took the liberty of noting down several important para- 
graphs. I have read many histories, but never came across 
such rare and important facts as I did here, and being old and 
rare histories, I shall ncite them in this book, which will be 
interesting to all my readers. 

Montezuma was the ninth ruler of the Mexican empire. He 
was born in the year 1476. He was a man of great wealth, 
nobility, and liberality. He had a large and extensive ac- 
quaintance in all parts of Mexico, and enjoyed the greatest 
popularity among all classes of people. He was an eloquent 
off-hand speaker, with a powerful voice. He was also a zeal- 
ous promoter of all the improvements about the city of Mexico, 
which is enough to make any ruler popular. 

He excelled all others, and manifested his splendor. His 
house for all sorts of living creatures on earth or in sea, and 
many other things might serve for a sufficient testimony, for 
in it he kept sea fishes in salt water, river fishes in fresh water, 
and all kinds of wild beasts in peculiar places were kept in 
great avaries, surrounded with golden rails. 

His palace was, in fact, one of the finest in the country. It 
was situated near the Temple Cue^ which, being built of stone, 
in form like a serpent, of large size, with magnificent apart- 
ments for their priest to lodge in, their cherished idol, called 
Viztlipuctli, or lord of the humble, so that Montezuma may be 
close to worship his devil idol god Viztlipuctli, who was a 
wooden image in the shape of a man sitting on a blue seat in 
a triumphant chair, at each end of which was placed a staff 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 553 

with a serpent's head upon it ; he was called by the Mexicans, 
" the great God and Saviour of all souls," and really believed 
him to be the God from heaven, and some of the real natives 
believe so to the present day. Here is where the heathen, in 
his blindness, bowed down to wood and stone. 

Montezuma was chosen king on the death of his father in 
1502, utterly against his will; but the masses of the people 
demanded him as a ruler, and by hard persuasion at last ac- 
cepted it. Before his election he held the position of High 
Priest of Mexico. He was crowned with more high honors 
and greater pomp than any other ruler of Mexico since. 

He appointed several earls who were next to the king in 
rank of power. They were commanders over his army called 
atlacolccalcatlas, which means princes of the throne ; they were 
at the head of lancers, a weapon much used among the Mexi- 
cans to the present time. They are mostly distinguished men, 
and wear marks as valiant and gallant men. King Montezuma 
and his son-in-law, Guatamzin, stand carved on a rock in the 
order of the Mexican eagle. 

On Montezuma's inauguration day thousands of people came 
to the city of Mexico; even his enemies came from far off, in 
large numbers, with treasures for presents to Montezuma ; in 
fact, the city was so thronged that even standing room on the 
streets, balconies, windows, and tops of all the houses were 
filled with spectators. No king in Mexico ever went to the 
throne in such great pomp and splendor. He was congratu- 
lated in a speech from Lord of Tescuco, in the following man- 
ner : 

Speech of Lord Tescuco. 

The great happiness, most noble Montezuma, which is 
befallen this realm by your election may easily be conjectured 
from the general joy, none besides yourself being able to 
undergo an office in the management whereof so much 
prudence is required. It is a most certain testimony that 
God loves Mexico, that he has given its inhabitants under- 
standing to make such a choice. Who can doubt it but that 



554 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

you, who have expatiated through the heavens, and conversed 
with ViztlipuctH, may easily govern us mortals on earth ; who 
can despair, but that the virtue enclosed within your heart will 
extend to the widows and orphans. Therefore, rejoice, O 
Mexico. The heavens have granted us a prince without vice ; 
merciful, and not a violater of the laws; agreeable, not despis- 
ing common conversation; and you, O King, let not this great 
present occasion any alteration in your so long-known virtues. 
The crown breeds care for the public good. The troubles 
thereof must extend over the whole realm, and every one in 
the realm. (Great applause.) 

Montezuma listened to the speech, and would willingly have 
answered the same, but could not utter a word for tears which 
gushed from his eyes. 

It was not long afterward the whole Mexican empire was 
under Montezuma's jurisdiction, and by his valor and great 
popularity was successful in all his wars ; and in the few years 
of his reign, and before the Conqueror Cortez came to Mexico, 
subdued and conquered over a hundred cities and towns to his 
dominion ; with the exception of the neighboring country of 
Tlascallian, mentioned elsewhere, whose inhabitants were 
famous for their valor and strength. They would never, 
receive or obey any laws from King Montezuma. Montezuma 
strictly maintained the laws of his country which were made, 
until he arrived at the highest top or ground, top heavy ; and 
the appearance of a comet in 15 12 (mentioned elsewhere) 
caused great excitement in Mexico, which comet foretold the 
misfortune that will befall the country. During Montezuma's 
reign, he captured thousands of prisoners yearly ; and history 
tells us that he sacrificed commonly, one year to another, 
twenty thousand men, and some years, on an extraordinary 
occasion, not less than fifty thousand souls. 

Thus it seems that the Mexicans carried out the ancient 
religious traditions of the Phcenicians, for history tells us that 
Baal — who was, after his death, formed into an idol and wor- 
shipped as a devil-god — vvas the first who sacrificed his son to 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 555 

heaven; and in this tradition probably originated the revolting 
custom of human sacrifices to this deity. It was at the city 
of Carthage that over two hundred of the healthiest children 
of the most influential and wealthiest citizens were sacrificed 
at one time. In time of war prisoners also were sacrificed in 
the same manner, which practice was continued until the defeat 
of the Carthagenians by the Romans, where a solemn curse 
was pronounced upon the spot where once rose the city of 
Dido — which city was built by a lady named Dido, a daughter 
of the king of Tyre, who was driven away from that city by 
the cruelty and avarice of her brother, named Pygmalion. It 
was built in the year 878 b. c, or one hundred and twenty-five 
years before the foundation of Rome was laid. 

After the fall of Carthage it is supposed that most of its 
wealthiest people fled in ships then lying in their harbor, sailed 
away and settled somewhere in South America and Mexico, 
and from them originated the sacrifice of human lives. 

After Montezuma had reigned some sixteen or seventeen 
years his troubles commenced ; he received news from his 
princes of a large fleet, loaded with men hostile to his king- 
dom, and that munitions of war were being landed near the 
island of Sacrificios. He called his princes and councillors 
together to take some action to prevent their intrusion on the 
city of Mexico. 

Cortez arrived in the valley of Mexico in the early part of 
October, 15 19. Here King Montezuma met Cortez at 
Tlapisahua ; and, after they had several interviews in regard to 
the Spaniards wanting to occupy the city of Mexico, King Monte- 
zuma and nearly all his tribe strongly protested against letting 
Cortez or any of his followers enter the city of Mexico. 
Finally, by persevering and making great promises, the 
Spaniard succeeded in getting into the city of Mexico Novem- 
ber 8, 1 5 19. This generous kindness, bestowed upon Cortez 
by King Montezuma, made the Mexicans jealous, and losing 
confidence in Montezuma as a ruler. The Spaniards and Mexi- 
cans finally got to street-fighting. ^ This enraged Cortez so 



556 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

that on June 27, 1520, he made an assault on the city of 
Mexico, and made King Montezuma a prisoner in his own 
castle. This kind of treatment and betrayal to their king 
much enraged the Mexicans, and caused constant fighting with 
the Spaniards. 

During the imprisonment and death of King Montezuma 
his brother, Quetlavana, or Cutlahua, was elected king, and 
his cousin, or King Montezuma's son-in-law, Guatamzin, was 
appointed chief of the army. They were both great and fear- 
less warriors, and were bitter against the Spaniards and all 
their followers. He Avent to work cautiously and raised a 
large army. During all this time the fighting in the streets 
and elsewhere got more fierce. 

Montezuma was called upon to go to a small window for the 
purpose of speaking to his subjects to pacify them ; but the 
noise, confusion, and cry of death to all Spaniards and traitors 
and clamor was so great that he could not be heard. He then 
went to a larger window ; and, as he was looking out and 
about to address his people to cease fighting and retreat to 
their homes, he was unfortunately shot with an arrow, and 
soon afterwards hit with a stone on the temple. He refused 
all food and medical attendance to his wounds, and died in 
three days after he was wounded, which was on the 30th day 
of June, 1520, and was forty-four years of age. 

This shows that King Montezuma must have ruled Mexico 
eighteen years instead of fourteen, as some writers have it. 

The death of Montezuma fully aroused the spirit of all 
classes of Mexicans ; even the weak-kneed Mexicans (so-called) 
who favored the Spaniards all along rallied to the standard of 
King Cutlahua and Chief Guatamzin, and swore by their god, 
Viztlipuctli, to avenge the death of King Montezuma, and 
passed resolutions of determination of vengeance, and crush 
out all the Spaniards and their sympathizers in Mexico. The 
Mexicans had recruited a large army, well armed with bows 
and arrows, and mounted lancers attacked the Spaniards at all 
quarters with yells and cry, " death to all Spaniards and 
traitors." 



NO TES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 557 

Finally the Spaniards were repulsed from the city ; and 
during their retreat, which lasted for several days, they 
(Spaniards) met with great loss of men and arms, and com- 
pleted their retreat on the tenth day of July, 1520, at midnight, 
which the Spaniards in Mexico call the doleful night to this 
day, and the Mexicans celebrate it every year as a day of feast 
and jubilee. 

Fernando Cortez, with his routed army, retreated to his sure 
friends of Tlascallia (a class of people who lived free among 
themselves, refusing to be subject to the king of Mexico, with 
whom they were continually at war) ; and when Cortez had 
conquered the Tlascallians they made friends with the Spaniards, 
and afterward assisted Cortez to conquer the kingdom of Mon- 
tezuma, without whose help he surely could never have con- 
quered the Mexicans. 

King Cutlahua, the successor of Montezuma, reigned but a 
short time when he died of small-pox, which disease was 
brought into Mexico by the Spaniards. 

Guatamzin, Montezuma's son-in-law, chief of the Mexican 
army, a brave, gallant, and popular officer among his people, 
was chosen king or emperor of Mexico. 

Fernando Cortez, while encamped at Tlascallia, went to work 
and recruited and strengthened his army to over two hundred 
thousand strong — Spaniards, Tlascallians, and other hostile 
tribes. The Spaniards were well armed with firearms, and the 
Tlascallians, who were friendly to the Spaniards and hostile 
to the kingdom of Montezuma, were armed with bows, arrows, 
and lancers. 

After everything was ready, Cortez marched his large army 
towards the city of Mexico ; arrived in the valley in the middle 
of May, 1 52 1, with the determination to take the city, cost 
what it will ; made a bold and daring attack on it both by 

Note. — Some of our historical writers have it that the retreai was on July i, 1520. 
This must be a mistake, as King Montezuma did not die until June 30, 1520, and 
it was several days afterwards before the Mexicans made the attack on the 
Spaniards. (Am I right ?) 



558 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

land and the surrounding lakes ; succeeded in a short time in 
cutting off all supplies of provision and communication from 
the city ; and after a siege of three months or more, Cortez at 
last resolved to take the city by storm, which was executed on 
Tuesday, the 13th day of August, 1521 (a little over one year 
from the time of Cortez's first retreat from Mexico). Defeated 
the Mexicans, taking Emperor Guatamzin, his sister, wife and 
family prisoners ; took them with him, closely guarded, into 
the city, demanded of Guatamzin all the gold, treasures and 
riches belonging to Montezuma, when sorne one informed 
Cortez that it was all thrown into the lakes. For this Gua- 
tamzin and others were put to torture ; and still refusing to 
tell where the rich treasure was, were put on burning coals, 
and burned the King severely. The city of Mexico was first 
sacked, and then burnt to the ground. It was afterwards 
rebuilt nearly on the same spot, where it now stands. Before 
Guatamzin was taken prisoner, he ordered his flying princes 
to throw all his treasures into the lakes, and for this, as 
already stated, was put to the torture. So the treasury is lost 
to this day, although many expensive searches have been 
made to find it. 

Wednesday, May 24, 1848. — This morning I took breakfast 
with Capt. Naylor's company, Second Regiment Pennsylvania 
Volunteers, who are quartered in the halls of the Montezumas (or 
the capital of Mexico), where I lodged last night. So, if any- 
body asks me whether I have been to or seen the halls of the 
Montezumas, I can say, " Yes ; I slept in it one night." 

At 10 o'clock, A. M., I visited the beautiful and charming 
Alameda Park, where the richness, beauty and chivalry daily 
meet. Mexico is not an industrial city; its streets or thorough- 
fares are ever thronged from early dawn until dark, yet the city 
is a great display of wealth, and apparently no scarcity of the 
precious metals ; but, in the absence of prominent resources 
or striking indications of busy traffic, you inquire : — Whence 
comes it ? You look in vain for those stirring marts where the 
mercantile operations of a city concentrate and are pursued 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 559 

on a great and expensive scale, but none of those gigantic 
work-houses and merchant palaces, which I often witness in 
Philadelphia and elsewhere, are seen here. There are no con- 
fusing dins from the rumbling wheels of loaded drays and 
wagons and the clanking noise of busy workshops or the 
hoarse and harsh whistling of the steam-pipes and the dashing 
and speedy locomotive. 

In the afternoon I started for San Angel, where I found 
my comrades on dress-parade, and orders being read to them 
to hold themselves ready for a speedy march to Vera Cruz. 
Cheer after cheer rent the air. 

Just before we left the city we saw our commissioners, ac- 
companied by about forty civilians and staff-officers and a large 
escort of cavalry, leave the city of Mexico for Queretaro, with 
the peace proposition. 

Thursday, Mav 25, 1848. — This morning myself and five 
others got permission from our Lieut. Haines to go to the 
city of Mexico with the expectation of seeing Lieuts. Hare and 
Button hung, but when we got to the city we were informed 
that they both had been reprieved on account of the treaty of 
peace being signed. So we were spared witnessing such an 
unpleasant sight. But they are to be kept in confinement and 
under guard until we arrive at New Orleans. In the evening 
we left for San Angel. 

Friday, May 26, 1848. — This morning there is great excite- 
ment, in and about camp, in regard to the glorious news from 
Queretaro City. That the treaty of peace had passed the 
Senate by a majority of eleven to four, having previously 
passed the House by a vote of fifty-one to thirty-five ; and 
that it, having been signed by the President, Penia y Penia, is 
now a fact. Nine cheers were given for peace, six for Penia 
y Penia, President of the Republic of Mexico, and so on. 

This afternoon there was an election for Lieutenant in Co. 
A, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. Sergts. Blakely, 
and Morton were the candidates. The ballot resulted in the 
choice of Sergt. Blakely. There was also an election in Co. 



560 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

H, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, for Lieutenant. 
Sergts. Bowers and Porter were the candidates, and after a 
sharp contest it resulted in the choice of Sergt. Porter. So in 
consequence of the treaty of peace, and of the election in the 
two companies, there was a little spree amongst the successful 
candidates and their friends, but there was no disturbance of 
any account, and everybody is in high glee. To-night peace, 
peace, is the cry. 

Saturday, May 27, 1848. — This morning the soldiers are 
much rejoiced over the peace and the early prospect of going 
home. There are officers in the city of Mexico trying to raise 
companies to go to Yucatan. 

This evening it is reported that our glorious and triumphant 
flag is to be hauled down to-morrow, and the Mexican flag, 
defeated in every battle fought, hoisted in its place. 

To-day several of our companies dug up their dead com- 
rades, intending to take them home. Among the dead I 
noticed was Mr. Peter McKeever, Co. D, First Regiment Penn- 
sylvania Volunteers, who died some time ago. 

Late this evening nearly all the companies had a regular 
fandango (dance), and collected the bands of the different 
regiments and started out serenading the different good offi- 
cers, and some few prominent Mexicans, and kept it up until 
midnight — cheering, singing songs, telling stories and other 
joyful actions. Peace — peace has come ! God bless it ! 

Sunday, May 28, 1848. — This morning orders came to our 
quarters to collect all the extra arms, muskets, etc., and send 
them to the city ; from there they will be sent to Vera Cruz. 
Every soldier is now getting in readiness to march at a mo- 
ment's notice. They are gathered in groups, singing our 
national songs, and cite, " We Are Coming Home." This 
evening the news from Queretaro City is, that our commis- 
sioners have reached that city, and are about to exchange 
treaties. When that is accomplished then the whole city is to 
be illuminated with candles and rockets. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 561 

Monday, May 29, 1848. — This morning the news from Quere- 
taro City is, that the treaties have been fairly exchanged agree- 
able to both commissioners. So there was another regular 
shouting, cheering and hallooing among the soldiers for nearly 
the whole day — being so much rejoiced in consequence of the 
conclusion of the treaty of peace ; they also are singing that 
favorite song, "We Are Coming Home." 

This afternoon orders were read for us to march to-morrow 
morning at 8 o'clock. Cheers rent the air, singing, etc. 

Having given several sketches of the history of Mexico, I 
think it will be acceptable to my numerous readers to give a 
small history of the rulers of Mexico from the Aztecs to 
Montezuma. 



36 



CHAPTER XL 
Original settlers in Mexico — names and number of rulers 

OF MEXICO our departure FROM THE CITY FOR HOME, 

sweet HOME POETRY, " WE ARE COMING HOME " CHALCO 

AND ITS ANCIENT HISTORY ARRIVED AT PUEBLA CITY ; 

MET WITH GRAND RECEPTION WITH CHEERS AND CLAPPING 
OF HANDS BY THE SENORITAS AS WE MARCHED THROUGH 

THE CITY ARRIVED AND ENCAMPED AT EL ENCERO — LEFT 

AND ARRIVED AT VERA CRUZ — TALK WITH SOME OF THE 

UMBRES WILL IT PAY TO VISIT MEXICO — EMBARKED AND 

LEFT VERA C\iUZ. WITH CHEERS FOR HOME — POETRY, 
"GOOD-BYE TO MEXICO" — ARRIVED AT NEW ORLEANS — 
MET WITH A GRAND RECEPTION AT CINCINNATI — ARRIVED 
AT BEAVER AND ECONOMY — HARMONY SOCIETY FORMED — 
RECEPTION AT PITTSBURGH — ARRIVED AT JOHNSTOWN ON 

THE SUMMIT m'VEYTOWN. AT 3 LOCKS LEWISTOWN 

GRAND RECEPTION ON THE ROAD, AND AT HARRISBURG AND 
LANCASTER MEMOIR OF EARLY DAYS GONE BY. 

The original settlers, or the most ancient natives now li\ing 
in Mexico, are the Toltec, Chichimecos, and Aztec, although 
tradition tells us, and we have ever\- reason to believe it is true, 
that there were older dwellers in Mexico than the red men. 

Toltec, Aztec, etc., all credit the discovery of Mexico to the 
Northmen. Carthagenians, and Egyptians, long before the 
coming of Christ. 

There are different theories about the Toltecs. Some have 
it that, in the year 472. others in 544, they were, on account 
of dissatisfaction with their ruler, expelled from their own 
countiy. called Tollan. lying off the north-eastern part o{ 
Mexico. After travelling and roaming through different parts 
of Mexico, they finally, in the year 6cxD. came to a halt and 
settled themselves down and built themselves a town called 
Tula, lying about twenty-two leagues southeast of the city of 
(562) 



NO'n:s OF Tni<: Mexican war. 563 

Mexico. They, of course, like all other tribes vvlio followed 
after them, had no form of government until 6io, others have 
it 667, when they adopted a nionarchial j^overnment, and 
elected their first kin^, after livinf^ under different rulers. 

Their coiuitry, and in fact nearly their whole nation, was 
destroyed by a famine and other i)estilence — destroying all 
their crops for the want of rain and by heavy frost. The de- 
vStruction of life and property caused the monarchial govern- 
ment to end in (Soo. Some have it 959. 

About this unfortunate time the Toltecs and their country 
(according to the accounts I could gather from their Mexican 
annals) were invaded by a nation called Cbicbimecos or Chi- 
chimecos. They came from the province of New Gallicia and 
parts of New Biscaya or Amaguemecan, a savage, barbarous 
tribe, and were, for their fierce, wicked, and wild nature, called 
Chichimecos. 

The Chichimecos were tired of living in their wild, lonesorqe 
forest, in deep caves and underground, and moved, in about 
960, out into the open air, and fell in large numbers into these 
southern parts of America now called Mexico — not all at once, 
but at different times, and under several names of tribes, viz., 
Suclimilica, Chalco, Tepcjancan, Tezcocans, Tlascallinis, Otum- 
tes, and other tribes that I can't just now think of. They had 
at that distressing time but little trouble to subdue the people 
and get possession of the desolated country of the ancient 
Toltecan they found in this land, and seated themselves in 
their places; and though at first every nation or tribe of them, 
as they came into this country, seized upon some province 
apart by themselves and held it. as it were, in sovereignty to 
themselves, without acknowledgment of any dependence or 
subjection to their neighbor or those that were there before 
them. 

They were n^ostly divided into tribes or large families, going 
under the above names. Each tribe was governed by a chief 
of their own selection. They had no law or manner of gov- 
ernment tp, guide themselves with, and, by reason thereof, were 



564 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

continually at war with one another until 963, — some have it 
1064, — when they elected Xolotli first king, Napoltzin the 
second king, and so on until the seventh tribe, Navatlancos, 
or Aztlancos (Aztecs) came from their country, then called 
Aztlan, now called New Mexico. They are the first original 
Mexicans. The time when the seven tribes of Aztlancos emi- 
grated out of their country was, as their most ancient histories 
declare, in the year 940, and they arrived in the valley of 
Mexico in 1220, and founded Tenochitiltan, or Tenustitan — 
now Mexico — in 1324. It is said that they were like the 
Israelites, who spent over forty years in their journey and 
marched many miles, with a thousand inconveniences, from 
one country to another. 

Being constantly at war with each other, they finally con- 
cluded to divide themselves. After this manner, four of these 
tribes marched on until they came to a spring of clear water, 
in which the fishes glittered like silver, and there encamped 
for the night. The other remaining tribes marched in another 
direction, and settled near the mountains and in the fertile 
valley called Tlascallian. The next morning the four tribes 
rose from their night's slumber, and their spirit-god, Witzilo- 
pochtli, or Viztliputlic, who was a kind of prof eta (prophet) 
and bishop among their people, and who, after his death, was 
cut in the form from wood and worshipped as their devil idol 
god until the conquest of Mexico by Cortes. This idol god, 
Viztliputlic, informed his tribe of a dream he had that night, 
that they should find thereabouts a tunal tree, whose leaves 
grew out of one another, under which, on a stone, lay the heart 
of a famous sorcerer, Copil. 

This tunal tree should be discovered by a crane on the top 
of it, which in one foot should hold a bird, and in the other a 
bough of the tree, near which they were to build a city. That 
city is now the city of Mexico. 

After the old priest Viztliputli had related his dream, most 
of his tribe went tp work to endeavor to find out the fore- 
mentioned tree. K\. last they found it, and saw on the top a 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 565 

crane with his outspread wings, holding in his claws a small 
bird with curious feathers, looking up towards the sun ; where- 
upon the tribes with all speed went to work in 1325, and built 
a chapel, or tcoculli, of turf and clods of earth, covered it with 
canes to keep their idol from the exposure of the weather, and 
at the same time promising him that they would sometime 
build him a splendid temple or teoculli {abode of the gods). In 
.a few years afterward the Aztecs did build Temple Turrest, 
and many handsome houses in the city of Mexico. The temple 
was a magnificent and gigantic building. It measured at the 
base 375 feet by 300 feet, and was 80 feet in height. It com- 
manded the four great highways, east, west, north and south, 
that led into the heart of the city. In fact, the whole structure 
was like a huge living serpent, dome-shaped and carved ; and 
the doorway was through the jaws of the serpent, built inside 
w^ith terraces from four to nine, connected with stairs in a 
circuit form from one story to another until it reached the 
summit, on top of which was a stone of sacrifice about 3 feet 
high. This temple was christened, and enshrined the two 
great national deities, viz., Witzilopochtli (or Viztliputlic) and 
Tczcatlipoca. The former was the celestial humming-bird, 
offspring of the sun and symbol of the Aztec people ; Tezcat- 
lipoca, the little humming-bird, or portable idol of the original 
wandering tribes, whose image was carried by the priest as he 
led the charge. After his {Tczcatlipoca) death, his statue was 
made of dark obsidian rock. His face was the face of a bear; 
his hair was plaited and inclosed in a golden net, and was 
worshipped as the god of the sun, which was their whole 
religion. 

In 1353 they elected their first king over the whole tribes 
then encamped in the valley of Mexico. The king's name was 
Acampichtli. The king immediately entered upon his duty, 
and enlarged the city of Tenustitan (now Mexico) with fine 
houses, temples and a splendid palace (it is said) on the very 
spot where the National Palace or Halls of the Montezumas 
now stands ; widening the streets and vast other improvement. 



566 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

In front of this temple and palace was a plaza 1200 feet 
square, surrounded by handsome residence of the priest, 
arsenal, storehouse, etc. 

King Acampichtli reigned 37 years, when he died in 1390. 

Huitzilihutli was the name of the second king elected. He 
reigned but 12 years ; died in 1402. 

Chimalpoqua (which, in the Indian language, means a gun 
which makes or gives smoke) was elected the third king with much 
dissatisfaction, against the will of the old native tribe called 
Tepejancan, or Tlacopans ; and after he reigned 10 years, the 
people got so much displeased with his arbitrary way of ruling 
that they broke into his palace one night and murdered him 
in his chamber. This caused great excitement and much 
bitter feeling amongst the other heads of the nations or tribes. 
The Aztec, who became much demoralized and revolutionized, 
were a rude and cruel people, essentially warlike ; their priests, 
bearing idols on their backs, marching in front and giving the 
signal for battle, calling themselves children of the sun. They 
were at war for several years, and were without a proper 
head to guide them, until Prince Mexi assumed command of 
a brave and powerful people ; conquered the revolutionists, and 
bestowed peace and tranquility in the city Tenustitan. 

The overthrow and downfall of the revolutionist was such a 
popular idea that the victorious tribes refused to elect any 
ruler over their tribes during the lifetime of Prince Mexi. 
They governed themselves by the act of their Councils until 
Prince Mexi's death, which was in 1423. Mexi not being of 
royal blood, was not, according to their rule, eligible to the 
throne ; and to forever perpetuate his fair name, they changed 
the name of their country from Tenustitan to Mexico, in 
honor of Prince Mexi. 

The revolutionist party, which was mostly composed of the 
Tepejancan and some few dissatisfied Tenustitans, soon left the 
city of Mexico and joined the Tlascallians, which afterwards 
became a powerful and much feared people by the Mexicans, 
After Prince Mexi's death, Ytzcoalt, or Iccoult, was chosen the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 567 

fourth king. He was a great warrior, and being with Prince 
Mexi in conquering the revolutionists, raised a large and well- 
disciplined army, armed with bows, arrows, spears, lances, etc., 
made a fierce war against the Tepejancan, Tlascallians, con- 
quered them and made them submit to his own form of gov- 
ernment. After a reign of thirteen years, he died in 1436, 
when his son Montezuma, first of that name, was chosen the 
fifth king. He was the first king that was mantled in tiger's 
skin. 

In 1446 a powerful and heavy rain fell upon the valley of 
Mexico with such fury that nearly one-half of the city of 
Mexico was destroyed, and the streets flooded that the people 
were obliged to make their escape in boats, canoes, etc. Mon- 
tezuma and his tribe, soon after it was dried up, went to work 
to build up that which was destroyed, and threw up big ditches. 
After having reigned twenty-eight years, he died in 1464. 

Tizoc, or Tiocick, Montezuma's eldest son, was then chosen 
the sixth king. He, however, was unfortunate in all his de- 
signs and engagements with his enemies, lost more of his 
people in battle in battle than he took prisoners, and the result 
was the Tlascallians gained their independence from the Mex- 
ican rule. Being accused by his tribe of oppression and 
tyranny, of cowardice and of being incompetent, he was poi- 
soned in the fourth year of his reign, 1468. Acayuca, or 
Acayacolt, Tiocick's brother, was then chosen the seventh 
king. He was generous, liberal, magnanimous and good to 
the poor. He built the first great temple or palace in the city 
of Mexico. He lived, in prosperity and peace with all the 
tribes in Mexico, to a good old age. After ruling over seven- 
teen years, he departed this life, to the great sorrow of the 
whole Mexican Empire, in 1485. 

After his death, Ahintzol, or Axayacolt, was chosen the 
eighth king. He was also a man of great magnanimity, and 
very popular among his tribes as a ruler and as a great leader 
of his soldiers. He succeeded in conquering all his enemies, 
and made himself glorious by his numerous victories. After 



568 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

reigning seventeen years he died in 1502, after which his son, 
Montezuma II, was chosen the ninth king. He was a man of 
great nobihty and talent, very popular among his people, and, 
from all accounts, his reign proved, beyond a doubt, that of 
the highest state of prosperity in the country. The quantity 
of grain grown showed that the land was well cultivated, and 
the Court and nobles lived so luxuriously that the people could 
not have fared badly. 

After reigning eighteen years, he was, by false betraying and 
promises of Fernando Cortez, taken prisoner in his own capitol, 
and died of wounds received in 1520. 

During the imprisonment of King Montezuma, his brother 
Cuitlahua was elected chief to the throne. He was also a great 
warrior ; in fact, more so than his brother Montezuma. He 
was hostile and a bitter foe towards the Spaniards. 

King Cuitlahua and his cousin Guatamzin went to work to 
reorganize and raise a large army, and made a fierce and bold 
attack upon the Spaniards. 

Cortez, seeing that he was losing much ground and men, 
called upon King Montezuma in his temple to speak and to 
pacify the Mexicans, but Montezuma had no sooner made his 
appearance at a window when he was first shot by an arrow 
and afterwards hit and killed by a stone on the temple. This 
act so enraged the Mexicans that they finally defeated the 
Spaniards and their allies, and drove them from the city July 
10, 1520, and is called noche trizte (doleful night). 

The Spaniards retreated by the way of Tlacopan, a small 
town out of the city. It was the first resting-place of Cortez' 
army. Next day they marched on towards Tlascallian. On 
their way they fell in with another hostile tribe called Pupo- 
lucans or Tepejacans, and fought a desperate battle at their 
capital, Tepejacan, July 18, 1520. Fortunately for the Span- 
iards, they killed their popular young prince in the beginning 
of the fight, which demoralized the Pupolucans, who fled in 
all directions. Had the Spaniards failed in this engagement, 
not a Spaniard or ally would have been left to tell the tale of 
the battle of Tepejacan. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 569 

After plundering and destroying the capital they marched on 
and arrived at Tlascalla July 20, 1520, and were cheerfully 
received by the Tlascallians. 

The tenth king, Cuitlahua, had reigned but four months 
when he died of that fatal disease called small-pox, which 
disease carried away over one hundred and fifty thousand 
Mexicans. 

After the death of King Cuitlahua, Prince Guatamzin, 
then chief of the army, was chosen emperor. He was very 
popular, and a dashing young officer, and a nephew to both 
Montezuma and Cuitlahua, and a son-in-law to King 
Montezuma. He having married his own cousin, a beautiful 
young princess, Tecuichpa. Emperor Guatamzin, who was 
now the eleventh and last ruler of the original Mexicans, 
went to work and strengthened his city, and re-organized his 
forces, to be ready to receive the Spaniards and their allies. 

In August, 1 52 1, Conqueror Cortez, with a large and well- 
disciplined army of Spaniards, Tlascallians and other hostile 
tribes, made their appearance for the second time in the'valley 
of Mexico, and attacked the city of Mexico, both by land and 
the surrounding lakes, causing great slaughter among the 
Mexicans with his (Cortez's) artillery. 

Emperor Guatamzin, seeing that his people were all dashed, 
and his own fate doomed, ordered his aids, or princes, together 
with all his jewels, treasures, valued at many millions of 
dollars, to be thrown into the lakes. After which he 
(Guatamzin), with his family, was trying to make his escape 
on the Lake Tezeuco in a canoe, but was overha,uled and 
captured by a swift Spanish sailing craft, Guatamzin was 
now under the clutches of his much-hated and revengeful foe, 
and having no chances or hope of escaping an ignominous 
death. He begged of Capt. Correjdor Holgum, the com- 
manding officer, not to molest nor to insult his family, and 
particularly the Empress Tecuichpa, which request was granted 
by the officer. When Guatamzin was brought before 
Conqueror Cortez, he (Guatamzin) addressed Cortez in these 



570 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

words : — " Sir, I have done what becomes a monarch to do. 
I have defended my country and my people to the last 
extremity, and nothing now remains but to die (at the same 
time placing his hand on Cortez's dagger). Take this dagger 
and place it in my breast, and put an end to a life which no 
longer can be of any use to myself or to my beloved people. 
My race is run, my country and people are forever ruined." 

Afterwards Guatamzin was taken to Cuyoacan and tortured 
until he was nearly dead. All done by a class of people who 
called themselves Christians. God spare us from such 
disciples.* 

The defeat and sad misfortune to the Mexican rulers so 
demoralized and disheartened the Aztec nation that they never 
attempted to defend their country against tl">e Spaniards, or to 
dislodge or drive the invaders from their soil, and were 
compelled to be ruled by the Spanish yoke and government 
until February 24, 1821, when it succeeded in declaring its 
'first independence. 

Conqueror Cortez was a bold, fearless, ardent and spirited 
man ; thirsting for blood, fame, gold, plundering and burning 
towns and cities. Exercised vast cruelties upon the poor and 
unfortunate natives ; in fact, too horrible to recite them. 

Fernando Cortez, for conquering the republic of Mexico 
and plundering nearly its whole dominion, was endowed by 
Charles V, who at that time was king of Spain, with many rich 
honors for his great services in Mexico. He was lionized, 
feasted and received with great applause wherever he went, 
which was continued as long as he lived. 

It is said that during the Spanish rule in Mexico they had 
killed over four millions of people, besides as many more ruined 
and crippled for life. They were, no doubt, fierce, marauding 
people, who lived by massacring and pillaging the Aztecs — all 
done to convert the Aztec people to the Catholic faith ; but 
they acted more like fiends of the worst kind than Christians. 

* Emperor Guatamzin, several years afterwards, was suspected of being 
engaged in a conspir icy, and Cortez iiad him shot without a court-martial 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 571 

But a day of judgment and heavy sentence came upon these 
marauding Spaniards, who had, by false promises, brought so 
much ruin and desolation upon Mexico, by a revolution, Sept. 
lO, 1810, and by the declaration of independence, Feb. 24, 
1 82 1, when the Spanish rule in Mexico ended, with great joy 
to all the natives, and they were made to go back from whence 
they came, except that they left their religion here, which is 
the ruling power in this country. 

Mexico is now governed by Mexican Indians and Mestizos, 
or mixed races of the Spanish and Indian blood. After the 
Mexicans had gained their independence, they formed different 
forms of government. At last a Republican form of govern- 
ment was chosen. The religion of the country was to be 
Roman Catholic ; no other religion will be allowed in the 
Republic of Mexico (1848). The whole Catholic Church is to 
be controlled by one archbishop, twelve bishops and numbers 
of clergy. The -Mexican priesthood is a body of the most 
corrupt and immoral set of human beings in the world. Par- 
ticularly in Mexico, where every city, town and village are 
swarmed with these apostles of Christ, with churches, monas- 
teries, convents, etc. In speaking of the Catholic Church, its 
power and influence, we must all confess that the Spanish 
Catholicism has been an improvement on the Aztec cannibal- 
ism ; and we hope that national thought and morals will soon 
be established, and confidence and order maintained through- 
out this unfortunate country. The wealth of the Catholic 
Churches (as already described) is truly immense ; and it has 
caused all the monster distortion and dissimulation in the 
bloody and dark ages of the past revolution, anarchy and 
misrule ever since these holy apostles' (Spaniard thieves) rule 
was formed. Thousands have been slaughtered, and thou- 
sands more will be slain ; and so on until the United States 
government takes hold of its dominion, under whose govern- 
ment every man, woman and child can worship God according 
to their own belief; then selfishness, revenge and malice 
towards their fellow-beings shall forever cease. 



572 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Since the above has been written I noticed in a paper called 
The Tzvo Republics, published in the city of Mexico, 1871, 
which adds another theory of the early settlers of the dominion 
of Mexico. 

It states that a number of ancient statutes have been ex- 
humed in the state of Vera Cruz, and that lithographic repre- 
sentations of two (one of them is an Ethiopian and the other 
an ancient Egyptian or Coptic) have been received in that city, 
and are now in the museum. From this it can be arguira 
(argued) that the Mexican portion of the American continent 
was, in former periods, peopled by two different and distinct 
races, which causes some to be a great deal darker and coarser 
than others. 

It also states that evidence is that the Egyptian race once 
flourished in Mexico, but it only exists in ruins, hieroglyphics, 
statuary, and pottery. 

The theory is now put forth that the Egyptians inhabited 
the east or gulf coast, while the Aztecs were originally confined 
to the west, and that the former were overwhelmed by the 
tribes of Aztecs which preceded the imperial and civilized 
portion of that race in its imigration from the west. 

It also says (which I have already stated) that there is reason 
to believe that the Aztecs occupied two centuries in their 
migration eastward, before reaching Chapultepec or city of 
Mexico. 

Tuesday, May 30, 1848. — This morning our soldiers were up 
early, preparing to march homeward, at the same time singing 
our national songs and cite " We Are Coming Home." 

I was approached this morning by Sergt. Thomas Ziegle, 
Peter Ahl, and Alburtus Welsh, wanting to know how much 
money I could loan them, as they wished to take up the dead 
bodies of William Eurick and Jacob Danner. I ran my hand 
down into my pocket, pulled out my purse, examined it, and 
I found that I could spare them two ten-dollar gold-pieces and 
a Mexican doubloon, handing it to them and saying that was 
about all I could spare them. They thanked me most kindly 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 573 

for that much, and expect to have enough money now to take 
both bodies with them home to their friends in Little York, 
Pa , where they as well as myself will receive the thanks 
of the citizens of that little town for loaning them the money, 
and at the same time saying had it not been for me they 
could not have been able to take them both up and bring 
them home. 

The Mexicans living around our quarters came in large 
numbers to give us a hearty shake of the hand and bid us a 
final and, I fear, a last good-bye ; some even could be seen 
crying, while others wanted to come along with us to our 
homes. 

A delegation of Mexicans from the polque tub hacienda 
also came to bid us good-bye. Some brought a little polque 
along and treated some of their regular customers, and some 
came to collect the little bills, still unpaid — the Mexicans 
nearly all regretting our departure from them, fearing that 
after our army has left them that revolution, anarchy and 
malice will again reign in their land. We sympathized with 
them and told them to be of good cheer, and to pray that 
their beloved country may yet be a real free and independent 
state, that the fierce hatred and bitter strife of men against 
their fellow-beings shall be ended, and revolution and 
desolating war forever cease, and the people allowed to 
worship God according to their own consciences. Then 
shall peace, fertility and tranquility prevail throughout their 
country. 

About 7 o'clock the drums began to beat. Company after 
company fell into line, after which we started on our home- 
ward march, and, with a wave of our hands, bid good-bye to 
all the inhabitants around our quarters. The polque delega- 
tion cheered us heartily. 

It is true we came to this country and met the people as 
foes, yet we leave them without malice, hate or prejudice, and 
departed from them with friendship, wishing them prosperity 



574 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

for their country and the people of Mexico ; in fact, the people 
of San Angel were no foes of ours — having been encamped 
there so long. We got so well acquainted, and associated 
together so much, that we were more like friends than ene- 
mies. They have shown, by their many acts of kindness, that 
they were our friends all the time ; they wept like so many 
children ; many marched with us for miles. We marched out 
by the Churubusco Road, and not through the city of Mexico 
(as first intended), passing through the strongly-fortified town 
of Mexicalzingo, along the south side of El Penon Pass — 
Cortez's first route to the city of Mexico. Mexicalzingo is 
situated by Lake Xochimilco, and before Conqueror Cortez's 
thieving rule came to this country, was a splendid city, con- 
taining about four thousand fine houses ; but at the present 
time it contains nothing but a few old huts, shanties and plenty 
of ruins. The people who live here came out of their huts 
and stood along the road we were marching, and their whole 
conversation was about the Auiei'icanos, niuchos Inioios valictite. 
We marched along on a level plain, and the most of the road 
we passed over was strewn with large and small lava stones, 
no doubt caused by the numerous eruptions from the volcanic 
mountains near by. They look a good deal like the cinders 
from our furnaces — rough and sharp and difficult to pass over. 
Encamped at a village called Chalco, which lies close by the 
lake of the same name ; but, like all the villages in Mexico, 
it is composed of miserable huts and small houses. Whether 
this is the Chalco which was once so famous in Montezuma's 
time 1 am unable to decide, but being in the immediate neigh- 
borhood of the city of Mexico, and no other Chalco in the 
country, I take it for granted that this must be the same 
Chalco. 

On our way from San Angel, and, in fact, before we left our 
quarters, the soldiers sang that favorite song or poem, called 
" We are Coming Home." The Mexicans, even, took a fancy 
to it, and called upon our boys several times to repeat it. It 
being part of our history, I will record it. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 575 

We are Coming Home. 

" We are coming home ! The battle's din and strife is passed, 
And war's wild notes are hushed in sweet repose ; 
The cannon's roar and the shrill bugle's blast 
Calls out no more for vengeance on our foes. 

" We are coming ! The shattered remnant of our manhood might ; 
The few survivors that are left to tell 
The tale of woe ; how, in the thickest fight, 

Like autumn leaves, their comrades round them fell. 

" We are coming ! The foes we came and fought are foes no more. 
A tear for every fallen ■rtiarrior's tomb ; 
For through the battle's smoke we always bore 
The olive branch besides the eagle's plume. 

" We are coming ! The winged winds that o'er blue oceans roam 
Are waiting now old Neptune's stern command, 
To waft our barques over the billows' foam, 
And bear the exiles to their native land. 

" We are coming, friends ! the little band that proudly bore 
Your torn Keystone flag through the iron storm ; 
While high above the fields was seen to soar 
Our native eagle's proud and gallant form. 

" We are coming ! Adieu, ye sunny climes and myrtle groves, 
Where Flora reigns within perennial bowers ; 
And youth and beauty woo their wedded loves, 
'Mid blooming vales of never-fading flowers. 

" We are coming! Adieu, ye daughters of a royal line. 
We own ye held our hearts in thrall awhile ; 
But now for maids in other lands we find. 

Who will greet the soldier with a welcome smile." 

A traditional belief amongst the present inhabitants of this 
section of country is, that untold treasures are buried around 
this neighborhood of lakes and rivers. The ruins of Tezeuco, 
including the foundation of the great pyramid 400 feet square, 
is close by here ; and now it is thickly overgrown with dense 
lots of chaparral and wild forest trees, and very difficult to get 



576 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

anywhere near it. This whole region is supposed, from its 
many relics, to have been thickly populated by a class of 
people whose sacred history of its faith and race have long 
since been forgotten. 

The ancient histories of Mexico tell us that Chalco was once 
a strong and well-built city, and governed by a brave and 
gallant people. After the inauguration of the last monarch in 
Mexico City, King Montezuma marched with a large army, 
and fell upon Chalco for the purpose of capturing prisoners to 
offer to his (Montezuma's) devil idol god, Viztliputli, to be 
sacrificed on the picdra sacrificial block. 

The citizens of Chalco defended themselves and their city 
with great gallantry, and in the fight the Chalcos took King 
Montezuma's brother and other high princes of note prisoners. 
The name of Montezuma being very popular, even among his 
enemies, it was a regular household word. The Chalcos pro- 
posed the government of Chalco to Montezuma's brother just 
captured ; at first he utterly refused the honored offer, but, 
being strongly insisted upon and many promises of rich jewels 
in store for him, he at last accepted the rein of government of 
Chalco. 

There was a high mast erected (about thirty feet high); on 
the top of this mast was a platform for the new king to stand 
upon to make his inauguration speech. The day was set as a 
day of feast and jubilee, for an occasion in which all the Chal- 
cons felt one common interest of uniting to give a fitting re- 
ception to their new king ; in fact, the day of inauguration has 
been looked forward to with the most pleasure of all feasts. 
The people seemed to be infused with a new life, as they came 
from all directions with joy and activity ; they came to witness 
the inauguration of one of the most popular young princes in 
their country. The principal thoroughfares were thronged 
with eager and expectant crowds, with much enthusiasm and 
excitement, while from the windows, housetops, and balconies 
floated the Chalco colors. Flags, bunting, evergreen, and 
banners with appropriate inscriptions greeted the eye at every 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 577 

point. Around the stand, or mast, an immense concourse of 
people had gathered, and when the new king arrived it was 
signalled by deafening cheers of the multitude assembled to do 
honor to the new king. 

After the new king had ascended upon the top of the mast 
and platform, and after a few minutes pause and rest, he cast 
his eyes upon the multitude of people below him. He bowed 
with great politeness, and then spoke with a clear and loud 
voice, saying, " Chalco seeks to set me on the throne ; the 
heavens will not permit it ; I would rather die than to live and 
be guilty of treason to your country," and which he had no 
sooner said, threw himself from the high mast, falling to the 
ground head foremost and instantly died. This act the Chal- 
cos looked upon in bad faith, and so enraged them that they 
immediately went to work with wild excitement and killed 
nearly all the rest of Montezuma prisoners. This barbarous 
outrage was afterwards avenged by King Montezuma, who 
thought much of his brother. King Montezuma recruited his 
army, and marched with a large force and fell upon the dial- 
cos and subdued them and several other tribes, leaving only 
the Tlascallians unattacked, so that the Aztecs might have a 
neighboring enemy to attack to fetch in prisoners for their 
offerings on feast days. 

Wednesday, May 31, 1848. — This morning at daylight we 
left camp Chalco and marched along lively until we arrived in 
mid towering Cordillera (chain of mountains). Here we 
stopped to refresh ourselves with a fresh supply of water, after 
which we all looked back toward the great valley and city of 
Mexico ; and for fifteen minutes we penciled, and looked for 
the last time upon this historic valley; gazed on a picture; 
expands as far as the eye can reach on rich cultivated fields, 
floating garden, maguey or polqiie plants ; its glittering lakes, 
and the city with its one hundred and sixty white domes ; the 
castle of Chapultepec with its lofty tower and clumps of noble 
trees around it ; the snow-clad volcanic mountains, Popocata- 
petl, IscQtafelt, and others, which sometimes kiss the passing 
37 '"" 



578 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

clouds in the far distance ; gay theatre, all in magnificence and 
grandeur ; dotted with numberless villages and beautiful haci- 
endas, surrounded with verdant hedges, orange groves and 
other luscious fruits ; all arranged before us like a panorama, 
never to be forgotten by him who had the privilege of march- 
ing with the grand army of Gen. Scott on to the halls of Mon- 
tezuma. We now left, qnd with a wave of our hands bid good- 
bye to the fairest city in Mexico. We marched on until we 
came to Rio Frio, or Tierra Frio (cold country); here we 
encamped for the night ; it was raining, snowing, and blowing, 
which, of course, made everything very unpleasant for the 
soldiers. This place is between nine and ten thousand feet 
above the sea. 

Thursday, June i, 1848. — This morning we left camp Rio 
Frio, but in low spirits, on account of passing a disagreeable 
night, it raining, snowing, etc., all night ; but at noon the 
threatening clouds disappeared, and the sun began to make its 
appearance, peeping through the wild woods, which had the 
effect of cheering up the boys, and making it more pleasant to 
march. 

We passed through San Martin, and- went into camp at a 
large hacienda about three miles from San Martin. The senor, 
the proprietor of the hacienda, made his servants or peasants 
furnish us with wood and water. 

Friday, June 2, 1848. — This morning we left camp about 6 
o'clock, it being our turn to be detailed for the rear guard. 
We took our time in getting ready, until the last of the division 
had gone, when we fell in the rear ; and for the first time I 
noticed that Capt. William F. Binder and company of our 
regiment were guarding the wagon which contained Lieuts. 
Hare and Dutton. Lieut. Hare looked out at the back end of 
the wagon, and said, " Good morning, boys. The same Ike 
Hare still." (Laughter.) We kept marching on until we 
came within ten miles of Puebla City, where we encamped for 
the night. We all wanted to march on to Puebla, but Col. 
Wynkoop would let no one go except Peter Ahl, Alburtus 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 579 

Welsh, and a few others. They got permission to go ahead 
for the purpose of taking up the dead bodies of WilHam 
Eurick and Jacob Banner. 

On our march to-day Sergt. C. Bruton, of Co. A, First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, died from the effects of a 
burn received at San Angel. He was buried this evening near 
a stone vault. 

Sahirday , June 3, 1848. — This morning our company, being 
in the advance, left camp at daylight, and marched on until we 
came to the beautiful city of Puebla. Here we halted for a 
short time, giving the soldiers an opportunity of shaking hands 
with the Mexicans, who came flocking from all the corners of 
the city ; and particularly when they heard that it was the 
soldiers who were stationed here during the long siege of 
Puebla. The Jiunibres, senoritas, lepcros^ ladrones, etc., came 
from all parts of the city and bade us good-bye. 

Many of the gentle class came and shook hands with us. 
They called us the no rendirentregar Yankees biienos and 
tniicho valentes Americanos. Just as we were about going to 
to start our old milk woman, who used to serve many of our^ 
men with leche (milk), came running in and among the soldiers, 
shaking and grasping our hands with much joy, saying, Dios 
bendecir esta Americanos (God bless these Americans). La 
valentres humbres gracias Dios (they are brave men, thank 
God). 

We finally got started, when the leche miiger and many 
others gave us three hearty cheers. We returned the compli- 
ment. Many of the women and men kept following us for 
over five miles chatting, talking and laughing of the times we 
had during the siege of Puebla. Our government is indebted to 
many of these Mexican women, and in particular to the huckster 
women, for saving the lives of many of our soldiers from the 
bloody assassins' hands. They were our best friends. We 
marched on until we came to Amozoquco, where we camped 
for the night. On Qur march to-day three soldiers of the 
South Carolirnia^-^s died of cramp colic, they were taken back 
and buried at Puebla. 



580 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

To-night news came into camp stating that Col. Domin- 
guez's son, a Captain in his spy company, was killed by some 
guerillas in Puebla ; and that Col. Dominguez (who is on his 
way to Vera Cruz) countermarched his company back to 
Puebla, and there killed five of the Mexican guerillas, who 
helped to kill his son. The police took one of his (Domin- 
guez's) men prisoner, but Col. Dominguez demanded his 
release instantly ; which, under the circumstances, was com- 
plied with. 

Sunday, June 4, 1848. — This morning we left Amozoquco, 
and passed through Acajete, and went into camp at El Pinal 
Pass. The weather to-day was excessively hot. 

In the evening some of the New York officers had a horse 
race. One horse (Mexican) was blind, and the other was lame, 
yet the lame one won the wager of one dollar a side. 

Monday, June 5, 1848. — This morning at daylight we left 
camp, and passed through the town Tepunluco, went into 
camp about 4 o'clock, p. m., at Ojo de Agua. On our march 
to-day Mr. John O'Brien (generally called Pat), of Co. D, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, stole a mule while 
running on the road, it was branded with the letters U. S. on 
the fore shoulders, which he afterwards burned out with an 
old piece of lock, and then sold it to a Mexican for ten 
dollars. 

Tuesday, June ^, 1848. — This morning we left camp early, 
on account of going into camp so soon yesterday. We passed 
over a very rough and sandy road, and went into camp at 3 
o'clock, p. M., at the town of Tepegahualco. After we arrived 
in camp, we were visited by dashing showers of rain, which 
almost drowned us out of our tents, but did not last long. 

Wedftesday, June 7, 1848. — This morning at 4 o'clock we 
left camp, and arrived at the town of Perote about 10 o'clock, 
A. M. Some of us visited our old quarters, the castle of Perote, 
and found it almost deserted. We encamped out around the 
castle, and spent the balance of the day in visiting our old 
Mexican friends, and bi(ifling them a hearty good-bye. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 581 

Tlmrsday , June 8, 1848. — This morning we left Perote, and 
passed through Cruz Blanco, Las Vegas, and several other 
small towns, and arrived at La Hoya about noon, where we 
encamped for the night. It rained the best part of the day, 
and our company being detailed the rear guard, made it still 
more disagreeable. On our way we captured a chicken, so we 
had a chicken for supper. 

Friday, June 9, 1848. — This morning at 4 o'clock we left 
La Hoya, and on our march we passed through San Miguel 
barracks and La Banderilla, and arrived at Jalapa City at 10 
o'clock, A. M. Here we stacked our muskets in the Plaza, and 
broke ranks for one hour. After refreshing ourselves, we 
again formed into line, and marched about three miles, where 
we encamped for the night on top of a hill, where we had a 
beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico. 

In the evening it commenced raining very hard. This must 
be the rainy season, as it has been raining nearly every day 
since we left San Angel. 

Saturday, June 10, 1 848. — This morning we did not leave 
camp until 8 o'clock, in consequence of to-day's march being 
a short one. We arrived at El Encero about 10 o'clock, a. m. 
Gen. Patterson took quarters in Gen. Santa Anna's residence. 

To-day has been very hot. We frequently had showers of 
rain, thunder and lightning. 

Sunday, June 11, 1848. — This morning we had orders read 
to us to strike our tents at noon, and leave for Vera Cruz ; but 
an express came up from Vera Cruz stating that there were no 
ships at that port ready to embark on, so the order for striking 
tents was countermanded. 

This afternoon Gen. Marshall's brigade came into camp, and 
pitched their tents on the left of our encampment. 

Monday, June 12, 1848. — This morning is a lovely one, and 
I paid a visit to Gen. Santa Anna's residence. It is situated 
on a hill. In the rear of the building is a pond for fish and 
ducks. There being no garden nor fruit trees the whole place 
looks as if deserted, and it will take sometime to bring it to 
its proper shape again. 



582 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Tuesday, June 13, 1848. — This morning Gen. Patterson 
ordered all the tents to be placed in regular order, as he 
intends to draught the whole camp, which will make a splendid 
picture. In the afternoon another brigade came into camp, 
which make it a very large encampment. In the evening it 
was rumored that there was a revolution in the city of Mexico, 
headed by Gen. Paredes. 

Wednesday, June 14, 1848. — This morning the whole division 
encamped here, were ordered on parade to have the whole 
camp sketched. It was drawn by one of the New York Regi- 
ment, and Gen. Patterson intends to have it lithographed at 
New Orleans, which will make a handsome picture. This 
evening it is reported that there are several ships at Vera Cruz. 
So our men made up another song. Its title is, " Good-bye 
to Mexico," which is well composed, 

T/mrsday, June 15, 1848, — This morning two of Col. 
,Dominguez's lancers came up from Vera Cruz with despatches 
for Gen. Patterson, which stated that there were several ships 
in the port of Vera Cruz awaiting for troops. So at 3 o'clock 
we struck tents, and left for Vera Cruz singing. We only 
marched about four miles, and encamped at a hacienda, the 
day being very hot. 

Friday. June 16, 1848. — This morning at i o'clock we left 
camp, passed Cerro Gordo and Plan del Rio, here we halted 
for over one hour, rested and laid in a fresh supply of water. 
After which we marched on to Puente del Nacional, The 
weather being extremely hot, we encamped for the balance of 

the day. 

Strange, Yet True. 

Close by here a hard battle was fought, 
Most strange, and yet most true ; 

Both Generals, Scott and Santa Anna, sought 
Each other to subdue. 

The man who so bravely led his men to victory. 
And made the fiend to fly. 

Is now a prisoner, and on his way to Washington ; 
And Santa Anna is compelled to leave his country. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 583 

Saturday, June 17, 1848. — This morning we left camp at i 
o'clock, and arrived at San Juan about 7 o'clock, a. m., and 
encamped for the day and part of the night ; it being still 
excessively hot. About one hour after we arrived in camp, 
news came that- one of the New Yorkers had been killed by 
the guerillas. So Col. Wynkoop sent back for his body, 
which was much lanced in several places. In the evening we 
left camp San Juan, and went to Santa Fe. We arrived 
about 10 o'clock and encamped. 

Sunday, June 18, 1848. — This morning we left camp early, 
and marched slowly on account of the road being heavy and 
sandy. We halted at Rio Medio for one hour to rest and 
refresh ourselves, after which we left and arrived at the out- 
skirts of Vera Cruz about 1 1 o'clock, a. m., when it commenced 
to rain most powerfully. All got wet through and through. 
Col. Wynkoop would not allow any of the soldiers to enter 
the city of Vera Cruz until the ship was ready to receive us. 
This caused a great deal of dissatisfaction amongst the men, 
who were obliged to encamp on the wet beach without tents. 
It being too wet for me to retire, I went over to Lieuts. Hare 
and Dutton, and had a general talk with them about the 
shooting affairs in the city of Mexico. They both said that 
the shooting was all in self-defence ; that it was a general 
gambling-room fight, and that nobody knows to this day who 
killed the banker ; that the lights were all put out ; that a 
dozen or more shots were fired at one another at one time ; 
that the fighting and shooting was not done on account or 
intention of robbery, but on account of cheating and falling 
out about the game. The trial was the most absurd thing 
that they have ever heard tell of; they were allowed no 
counsel or witnesses to defend themselves with, or even they 
(Hare and Dutton) were not allowed in the court-room to hear 
what was going on. After their conviction, Gen. Robert 
Patterson came to their room and told them not to make 
themselves anyway uneasy of either being shot or hung; that 
he (Gen. Patterson) had got it from Gen. William O. Butler 



584 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

directly that nothing shall be done to them, the trial being 
merely a mockery and a sham, making the Mexicans believe 
that our government is carrying out the laws. 

Monday, June 19, 1848. — Good-bye to Mexico ! This morn- 
ing, after we had our coffee, a party of us soldiers visited our 
old camp-ground and volunteer battery, which played such 
dreadful havoc during the bombardear of the city of Vera Cruz, 
and had it not been for the breastworks, etc., we would nev^er 
have found it; for the whole place is grown over with wild 
bushes or, more like, chaparral. We picked up several pieces 
of burst shells and other curiosities. 

About 10 o'clock we heard the drum beat to fall into line. 
We hurried back, and marched into the city of Vera Cruz, 
reciting, and some singing, "We are coming Home" and 
" Good-bye to Mexico." Oh, you cannot imagine how happy 
and rejoiced we all felt when we first saw the Stars and Stripes 
fluttering from the stern of the ship " Eudora," lying along the 
wharf of Vera Cruz, which is to be our floating casa (home) 
till we step from the gangway upon our own land, where beg- 
gars are seldom seen, where poverty and wretchedness are 
rare, where every man, woman and child (particularly in the 
North) are free and happy, and where everything speaks of 
prosperity, civilization and self-government. 

We now got on board the steamship, but it was not quite 
ready to sail — -that is, they were taking on freight and military 
stores. This gave us an opportunity to view the sandhills and 
other historic points in and around Vera Cruz. We cast our 
eyes down the harbor, and could plainly see the Island of 
Sacrificios and the bend behind which we landed. Well do we 
all remember how anxious and pleased we were to land on the 
shores of Mexico, and march on to the capital of Mexico to 
see that ancient city, and how eager and doubly glad we now 
all are to return home again. 

Our steamer (or, in fact, our engineer) was getting in motion 
for home. Several Mexicans came on board to speak to us 
and bid us good-bye ; one was the superintendent on the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 585 

wharf, who has learned to talk EngHsh very fluently. He 
commenced by saying, " What a great change has taken place 
since the Yankees first landed on our shores ! When you 
Yankees first landed, I, with the rest of my countrymen and 
women, felt it a blessing to rise in arms against you, and patri- 
otically cut the throat of every Yankee in the country. Now, 
we deeply regret the Yankees' departure. We told him that 
our mission to Mexico has been accomplished with credit to 
ourselves and, we hope, with honor to our government; that 
we like Mexico, and we believe that it could be made one of 
the richest and best fruit-growing countries on the Pacific coast. 
We found all kinds of fruit growing wild along the National 
Road, and some of the finest fields of grain we ever saw ; and 
we hope that the day may not be far distant when there will 
be a railroad from Vera Cruz to the capital, and machine-shops 
and other manufactories spring up all over their country, and 
civilization, national reform, and morals be ordered, and a self- 
government be established. Then, and not until then, pros- 
perity, happiness, and confidence will prevail. But to accom- 
plish this event you will have to break up your priest and 
monk rule; you must first take politics out of your religion, 
and religion out of politics, and let the people rule; you must 
guarantee life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness to every living 
being in your country; you must guarantee religious liberty, 
and worship God according to their own belief 

He said that was all good as far as it went ; that he was a 
Catholic, and believed all good Catholics would go straight to 
heaven when they die, for they have had their purgatory in 
this world. All other religion or believers will go to hell. 

We told him that we were not all Catholics, but we believed 
in God and his Son, and we believed in carrying out and 
obeying God's laws, and by so doing we will stand as good a 
chance to enter the kingdom of heaven as some of the 
Catholics who worship images made out of wood and stone. 
To this he straightened himself up and cast his eyes towards 
heaven and stamped his feet on the deck, saying, " No, never, 



586 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

never," that we Yankees would all go to hell. We told him 
that he was an ignorant fool ; that we did not want any more 
conversation with him ; that he should vamos the ship. He 
left saying good-bye, and that he was sure the devil would get 
us all. (Laughter.) 

Mexico unfortunately never had any Plymouth Rock 
pilgrims or a William Penn. The first white men, Cortez and 
his followers, were a band of wild adventurers, robbers, and 
murderers, from the day they first landed to the present 
time. He has slaughtered the inhabitants by the million ; he 
wounded and robbed without scruple ; he enslaved and 
subjected them in ignorance and submission to the Catholic 
faith, and they are held indolent, ignorant and superstitious up 
to the present time (1848). 

Mexico may be worth something to see, but is not worth 
going to see ; although I shall ever remember the many 
ancient and historic scenes I have seen in Mexico. 

The tourists and travellers through this country are mostly 
either robbed or murdered. There is no protection for human 
life ; or no punishment for the outlaws in Mexico. 

We now heard the rattling of the anchor chains and the 
engine bell. " Let go," was the cry, and off we started with 
cheers. After we had gone out of sight, we began to look 
around for our bunks to lay ourselves upon ; but I am sorry 
to say none could be had, and we were compelled to lie down 
anywhere and everywhere. Besides this, the ship is very 
dirty — not a decent spot for even a dog to lie on. So there 
was a good deal of growling, saying these are some of the 
laurels we are getting for conquering the Republic of Mexico. 
Now everything looks gloomy, nothing but the sea and the 
heavens can be seen. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 587 

GooD-BVE TO Mexico. 

Homeward our feet are turned once more, 

The last to leave, the first to land, 
And now press forward to the shore 

That girds our free northern land ; 
Oh ! how the heart with rapture thrills, 
How leap in thought our mountain rills. 
And waves, after the golden grain, 

Upon our home-fields wide and far, 
That shall see and tread again. 

Wooed by our own sweet summer air. 

Homeward — how much is in that word ! 

Home that we left several years ago, 
When first the blast of war was heard 

On hill above, in vale below ; 
Then how our yeomen hurried forth 
From East and West and North and South ; 
They met and vanquished oft the foe 

On many a hard, bloody contested field, 
Where, with their banners torn and low, 

We saw his boasting legions yield. 

But this is past, peace has returned. 

Our blades are sheathed and still now— 
Blades that on many fields have earned 

Bright laurels for the wearer's brow ; 
And our gallant soldiers' duty done. 
We leave this land of bloom and sun. 
Its never-changing summer time, 

Its gardens and its olive groves. 
Its avenues of fragrant thyme, 

Its/e/i's, its intrigues, and its loves. 

Oh ! land of beauty, peerless, bright, 

Of snow-capped peaks and smiling plains, 
Yet shrouded in a darker night 

Than ever Egypt's shrines remains ; 
The stranger parting from the shores, 
Thy glories to behold no more. 
Bids thee farewell with swelling heart, 

As his swift bark leaps over the sea, 
And, as the truant tear-drops start. 

Prays God that thou mayest yet be free. 



588 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Farewell ! notices are broken, though 

I have tarried long upon thy soil ; 
Farewell ! though coming as a foe 

I leave thee without hate or spoil; 
And parting thus, forever let 
The stranger hope that you may yet 
Rise from your living grave and stand, 

Before the nations just and great, 
Protecting all within the land, 

A free and independent State. 

Farewell ! thy spires are sinking fast 

Behind yon gray volcanic hills, 
I feel this look will be the last, 

Yet no regret my bosom fills. 
For all my hopes and all my fears 
Are with the scenes of earlier years ; 
Fond memories fast around me throng, 

And shall I, can I, break the spell ? 
One parting word — a deep, a long, 

A hearty, and a last farewell ! 

Tuesday, June 20, 1848. — This morning I got up wet and 
stiff, it having rained all last night and being exposed thereto. 
Some of our men are still sea-sick and much discouraged by 
the treatment we are getting. 

At noon the weather appeared beautiful, a pleasant breeze 
stirring. 

Wednesday, June 2\, 1848. — This morning looked fine and 
pleasant, and nearly all the sea-sick men are getting well fast. 

At noon our mess (what is left) had a good dinner of sour 
crout ; and for supper we had dried apples, pickles, onions, 
all captured last evening. Soldiers will not starve as long 
as anything can be got to eat. 

Thursday, June 22, 1848. — This morning there was a con- 
siderable fuss on board the ship on account of some of our 
soldiers stealing a little pig out of the ship captain's cabin, and 
search was made for the lost pig, but all in vain. 

To-day we spoke several schooners and ships, all bound for 
Vera Cruz to take troops on board. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 589 

Friday, June 23, 1848. — This morning there is a fine air 
stirring, and our fellows have nearly all recovered from their 
sea-sickness. 

To-day we spoke the steamboat " Hercules." This is a tow- 
boat, and is bound for Vera Cruz. Also saw several other 
vessels bound for the same place and purposes. 

In the evening we met the steamboat " Union." We are 
now looking out for land. The mate of the ship took out 
his spy-glass and discovered land ten miles off. Cheers rent 
the air. 

Satiirday, June 24, 1 848. — This morning mostly all the 
soldiers got up in good spirits, on the prospect of seeing Uncle 
Sam's land soon. 

At noon we passed the schooner " Creole," loaded with a de- 
tachment of the New York Regiment. They left Vera Cruz 
about the same time we did ; report all well. Soon afterwards 
some of our soldiers, who had been on the lookout for land, 
cried out with an exciting voice, " Land ahead ! land ahead ! " 
and, sure enough, the notice proved true. We could plainly 
see the Balizes, at which place we arrived about 5 o'clock, 
p. M. Cheers after cheers were then given for the United 
States and our beloved country. We continued on up the 
noble Mississippi river. The weather being beautiful, all the 
soldiers were upon deck viewing the scenery. All were much 
rejoiced and delighted, on account of our safe arrival in the 
States. Cheerfulness graced their faces. There is a saying, 
" Next to the sunlight of heaven is the sunlight of a cheerful 
face." There is no doubt some truth about this ; for as soon 
as we saw land, I could see the bright eyes, the unclouded 
brow and the sunny smile at one glance on every man's face. 

Simday , June 25, 1848. — This morning at i o'clock the ship 
stopped to do some repairing, but started again at 4 o'clock 
this morning. We passed several beautiful plantations. 
The shores were crowded with ladies waving their hands and 
handkerchiefs, welcoming the soldiers to their homes. The 
weather is most delightful, and the soldiers are in buoyant 



590 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

spirits, which is an excellent wearing quality ; and it may well 
be called the bright weather of the heart, for it gives encourage- 
ment and harmony, and enables nature to recruit its strength ; 
whereas, worry and discontent debilitates. 

To-day our men amused themselves shooting at alligators, 
which are numerous on the shores of the Mississippi river. 

Monday, Jiaie 26, 1848. — This morning the reveille beat at 
daylight, and all soldiers got up, washed, and dressed them- 
selves with new clothing, and threw some of their old rags 
with their contents overboard. We passed Jackson Barracks 
and Fort Philips; arrived at New Orleans about 7 o'clock, 
A. M. The ship halted on the other side of New Orleans. Of 
course the soldiers were anxious to get on shore, but the 
captain of the ship would not let us go until he had orders ; 
so about an hour afterwards the ship hoisted her anchor and 
went farther up the river — about seven miles from New Or- 
leans. Here we landed, and found the four companies of our 
regiment already encamped, they having arrived the day pre- 
vious. We pitched our tents and then laid ourselves down 
once more on the soil of the United States, but regret to say 
that the mosquitoes here are about as bad as the Mexican fleas. 

Tuesday, June 2^ , 1848. — This morning four companies of 
our regiment left for Pittsburgh in the steamboat " Western 
World," under the command of Lieut.-Col. Black. 

In the evening the steamboat " General Hamilton " arrived. 
Col. Wynkoop went on board, and there was some difficulty 
about the cabin passengers, but it was soon settled, and the 
soldiers got on board and left for Pittsburgh. J. C. Taylor 
and I got a bunk on top of the boilers. 

Wednesday, June 28, 1848. — This morning the Adjutant 
called for a guard to guard the few soldier prisoners ; but they 
refused to act, saying that they are now in the United States, and 
they consider the guard duty is played out. So the prisoners 
were dealt out to each company to take charge of them. 

To-day we passed Baton Rouge. As we passed, the old 
hero of Buena Vista, Gen. Taylor, accompanied by side guards, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 591 

made their appearance on the bank. We cheered him three 
times three. He returned the comphments by taking off his 
hat and waving of his hand. We also passed several large 
and splendid plantations, such as sugar and cotton, and could 
plainly see the darkies (slaves) working in the fields. Their 
masters or overseers are mostly on horseback, with a heavy 
whip in hand. 

Thursday, Jutic 29, 1848. — This morning about 8 o'clock, a 
soldier named Robinson, belonging to Company G, First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, fell overboard, and, before 
any assistance could be rendered, was drowned. He was a 
good and faithful soldier, and it seems hard to think that he 
should lose his life while on his way home. 

We arrived at Vicksburg about 8 o'clock in the evening. 
Here we took on board some disbanded volunteers belonging 
to the Mississippi cavalry. The citizens are cheering us on 
our way up. 

Friday, June 30, 1848. — This morning we passed several 
large plantations. 

At noon we had a race with another steamboat, but neither 
could make much headway, although our boat is the fastest, 
but had to stop several times to take on and leave off passen- 
gers and freight. 

Saturday, July i, 1848. — This morning we stopped at 
Napoleon, and took on Mr. Samuel P. Stickney's circus 
company. 

To-day we passed several small towns, where the people 
welcomed us by cheers. 

In the evening the band belonging to Mr. S. P. Stickney's 
circus company played several national airs on the hurricane 
deck, which much delighted all the soldiers. 

Stmday, July 2, 1848. — This morning we stopped at 
Memphis, and landed Stickney's circus company. Here we 
had an opportunity to run around the city for one hour, and 
got something to eat, better than government rations. 



592 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Monday, July 3, 1848. — This morning one of Company I, 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was missing. It is 
supposed that he fell overboard, as one of the colored deck 
hands had seen something fall overboard, and supposed it was 
only a blanket. We started back and tried to find him, but it 
was no good ; he is gone, and met a watery grave. 

To-day, as usual, we stopped at several towns to leave off 
and take on passengers, and arrived at Cairo about 8 o'clock 
this evening. Here we stopped for one hour ; left off passen- 
gers and mails ; and then left the town in the midst of cheers 
and roaring of the artillery on shore. 

Tuesday, July Af, 1848. — This morning is the glorious Fourth 
of July, and our officers ordered the bartender to let all the 
soldiers have two drinks apiece ; but some took five or six 
drinks, and got pretty well corned. To-day being the Fourth 
we received a great many honors on both sides of the river 
shore ; in fact, some places on the banks were strewed with 
people, and seemed much rejoiced at our arrival ; also saluted 
from cannons, small firearms and cheers. As a fellow said, 
the citizens gathered en masse to welcome us to our sweet 
home. We answered all these salutes by firing off a small 
cannon. 

Wednesday., July 5, 1848. — This morning we stopped at 
Troy, Ind., to take on coal and leave off passengers. We left, 
and in the evening we were visited by a shower of rain, which 
cooled the air. 

Thursday, July 6, 1848. — This morning we stopped at Louis- 
ville, Ky., to go through the canal. Here we all got off the 
steamboat and went into the city of Louisville and laid in a 
fair stock of provisions — not government rations. Our boat 
had hard work to get through the canal. They had to chop 
away part of the boat's bow, and in the operation a plank flew 
up and struck a negro on the head, knocked him overboard 
and drowned him. 

Friday, July 7, 1848. — This morning we arrived and stopped 
at Madison, Indiana. Here the people gathered in large 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 593 

numbers ; men, women, and children came running from their 
cottages to see the soldiers, and honoring them with speeches, 
firing off firearms, etc., which were answered on our side by 
firing off a small cannon belonging to the steamboat. 

After having discharged some of our living freight, and the 
same sort taken on, we left Madison in the midst of firing off 
firearms, cheering, and clapping of hands by the citizens on 
shore and on the steamboats. 

We arrived at Cincinnati, O., about 4 o'clock, p. m. Before 
we arrived at Cincinnati, on both sides of the river, on shore, 
people had gathered in large numbers. Many ladies and gen- 
tlemen were on horseback, cheering; and the fair damsels 
waving their handkerchiefs in the air. 

Our arrival was signaled by the roar of artillery. By the 
time our boat touched the wharf the people had gathered in 
immense numbers on board of the steamboats, flatboats, and 
on shore. The firemen with their engines came dashing along, 
bursting forth wild and continued cheering, clapping of hands, 
and firing off cannons, small-arms, etc. Such wild and en- 
thusiastic cheering and roaring of artillery I have not heard 
since the treaty of peace was declared at the capital of Mexico. 
We begin to feel ourselves, "who wouldn't be a soldier of the 
Mexican war." 

These people, by their applause, must have formed an idea 
that the soldiers were great men who landed before Vera Cruz, 
on the land of the Aztec, without the loss of a single man or 
the slightest accident, and captured that strongly fortified city, 
Vera Cruz, mounting nearly one hundred cannons, and the 
castle of San Juan de Ulloarr:^ second Gibraltar — mounting 
over four hundred cannons; after which, with ten thousand 
men, triumphantly mj^rc|ied towards the city of Mexico, a dis- 
tance of three hundred miles, through a country both by art 
and nature extremely difficult of passing; fought numbers of 
bloody battles, parrying everything before them by storm in 
the face of extraordinary odds ; capturing cities, towns, and 
the strongest nqsitions for defenses in their country; capturing 
38 



594 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

the ancient city of the Montezumas, with all its ancient arts 
of ancient times ; all, all, with but little over six thousand men, 
with the heroic Gen. Winfield Scott at its head ; all without 
a single defeat or the slightest check. 

Thus the people have reason to believe that the second 
conquerors of Mexico are really extraordinary and super- 
human in strength and power. They first thought that we 
were part of the Ohio Volunteers on their way home ; and 
when they found out that we were part of the old Keystoners, 
which carried its flags to the halls of Montezuma, the arrange- 
ments for the grand entree into their queen city was post- 
poned, but the joyful and much enthusiastic citizens insisted 
that we, the soldiers, should land and march through a few of 
their principal streets, to which appeal our officers at last con- 
sented. We went on shore and formed into line, and then 
marched up into the city through a dense mass of people, full 
of huzzahs and enthusiasm. All were anxious to see part of 
the second conquerors of Mexico come. All the streets, house- 
tops, windows, balconies, etc., were packed with people, cheer- 
ing and waving handkerchiefs. Across the streets hung our 
country's flag, and pictures of Gens. Scott, Taylor and others. 
The whole scene was a grand affair. When we came near the 
portrait of Gen. Scott it was cheered with a will. After 
marching around a few squares, we returned and again got on 
board of the steamboat " General Hamilton," when we were 
dismissed for the day, and given leave to go on shore ; and some 
of us had no sooner got on shore than the citizens gathered 
around our men in groups, asking about five hundred different 
questions at one time concerning the battles fought in Mexico. 
Also the opinion of the soldiers in regard to the removal of 
Gen. Scott, and what the soldiers thought of it. 

We answered their questions in our own way. That the 
removal and superseding of Gen. Scott, after he had captured 
the city of Mexico, and making the whole dominion of Mexico 
submit to our terms, was one of the grossest and most high- 
handed acts that has ever happened in our goyernment. And 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 595 

when Gens. Pillow and Worth will be called upon, and stand 
before Gen. Scott to prove their charges, they will be so 
ashamed of themselves that they will leave the court-room, 
and hide their faces in their dirty hands. 

These people listened, as the saying is, with their ears and 
eyes wide open, and by the tone and general conversation 
with the citizens we find they sympathize with Gen. Scott, and 
think he has been treated shamefully. 

We are to remain here until to-morrow night ; or, in fact, 
until the other four companies of our regiment comes up. We 
have plenty to eat and drink free of all charges. I have been 
informed by our Lieutenant, A. Haines, that we will be taken 
off the " General Hamilton " to-morrow, and put on a smaller 
steamboat, as the Ohio River is too low for large steamboats 
to run on. Late in the evening I had a long talk with some 
of the boatmen on the canal. I returned on board the " Gen- 
eral Hamilton " to take a good sleep. 

Saturday, July 8, 1848. — This morning, after breakfast, a 
party of us started out to visit the city, and I find it to be a 
great business place, particularly in the pork line. The 
wharves are all paved with large paving-stones, so are its 
streets, and splendidly laid out. 

In the afternoon we were taken off the " General Hamilton," 
and put on board a smaller steamboat running between here 
and Pittsburgh — the water being too low for large or heavy 
boats to run. On this boat we all got state cabin passage, 
which is the first sign of civilization since we left Pittsburgh 
on our way to Mexico. The idea of private soldiers, or even 
corporals^ getting state-room cabin passage is something ama- 
zingly absurd; it makes us feel as proud as if we were pro- 
moted to a brigadier-generalship. 

In the evening Col. Wynkoop telegraphed to Memphis to 
know whether the other four companies of our regiment had 
passed that city, as we ^re waiting here until their arrival ; but 
no answer came, which signifies that they had not yet passed 
that city. So we ^re, pbjiged to wait a little longer. 



596 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Sunday, July 9, 1 848. — This being Sunday, a large number 
of citizens came on board to visit us, shaking hands and con- 
gratulating us on our safe return, and asking many questions 
about the battles fought and the removal of Gen. Scott. 

This afternoon, Sergt. Robert Freeston, of Co. D, First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, died of diarrhoea. 

Mo7iday , July 10, 1848. — This morning I was informed that 
Co. D intends to take the dead body of Sergt. Freeston, who 
died yesterday, on to Philadelphia to his relatives. 

At noon I again visited the city, and took a walk around 
the canal, and talked to some of the boatmen about boating, 
as that used to be my occupation on the Pennsylvania Canal 
from 1840 to 1846. 

Tuesday, Jidy 11, 1848. — This morning at 10 o'clock some 
of the Ohio Volunteers arrived. They had a grand reception 
by the citizens and firemen ; they turned out en masse to do 
honor to their sons who fought on the sandy plains of Mexico. 
There was much cheering and confusion during their marching 
through the city. 

About noon Col. Wynkoop concluded to start, and left the 
city with firing a salute and cheers. Passed several small 
vdlas (towns), and at dusk it commenced to rain, which had 
the effect of cooling the air. 

Wednesday, July 12, 1848. — This morning was very foggy, 
and prevented the boat from going her regular speed. We 
passed several fine towns, and were kindly saluted by the 
citizens, with firing off of cannons and cheering. 

To-day has been very pleasant, and the hurricane-deck was 
crowded. 

Til ursday, July 13, 1848. — This morning we stopped at a 
small town to let off and take on passengers ; left, and passed 
several other towns. Along the river people could be seen in 
groups cheering and waving their handkerchiefs. 

In the evening, about 8 o'clock, we arrived at Wheeling, Va., 
which is about ninety miles from Pittsburgh, Here we were 
met by the citizens on the wharf and on stejirnboats lying here, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 597 

cheering and firing salutes in honor of our arrival. Who 
wouldn't be a soldier in time of war, when you are greeted 
with such honors ? Speeches were made by several intelligent 
gentlemen, which were responded to by our Col. Wynkoop. 
After an hour's stay, we left in the midst of cheering and the 
booming of cannons, and just as we left, William Thomas, a 
recruit of Co. D, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, died. 

Friday, July 14, 1848. — This morning early we passed Wells- 
ville, O., where the citizens greeted us with hearty cheers. 

About 10 o'clock, A. M., we crossed the line, arriving once 
more in old Pennsylvania, for which we gave six hearty cheers, 
and at the same time firing off our little cannon thirteen times 
in honor of the thirteen original States. 

At 3 o'clock, p. M., we arrived at the thriving town of Beaver, 
Pa. Here we halted, and at the same time tolling the steam- 
boat-bell for the purpose of notifying the citizens of the death 
and burial of a soldier (Wm. Thomas), who died last evening. 
The tolling of the boat-bell had the effect of bringing large 
numbers of people from all parts of the town to the wharf, 
inquiring, " What is the matter ? " " Who is dead? " etc. 

After the boat was fastened to the wharf, we landed, formed 
into line with drum and fife, and attended the funeral of Wil- 
liam Thomas in a body ; besides, it was accompanied by a 
large number of citizens, who paid all due respect to the hon- 
ored dead by closing their business places and tolling nearly 
all the church-bells in the borough while the parade was 
marching to the cemetery — it being the first soldier who 
served in the Mexican war who was buried in that beautiful 
little town. A minister of the Gospel volunteered his ser- 
vices, and spoke with great eloquence suitable to the occasion 
at the grave, promising the soldiers that the grave of William 
Thomas, of Co. D, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
who has fought life's battle to the end, will forever be well 
taken care of by the citizens of Beaver. 

After the ceremony was over, we returned to our steamboat, 
where we were met by the Committee of Arrangements from 



598 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Pittsburgh, who had just arrived from that city. The commit- 
tee formed on deck, where they welcomed the officers and sol- 
diers of the Pennsylvania Volunteers to Pennsylvania in a neat 
and appropriate speech, which was responded to by our Col. 
Francis M. Wynkoop. 

In the evening, large numbers of the citizens and firemen, 
with their equipments on, visited our boat, and it was laugh- 
able to see the people — ladies in particular, who, thank God, 
always look out for the comfort of the soldiers — coming on 
board with baskets full of eatables, and offering them to the 
men, which, of course, was all kindly and thankfully received. 
I notice the ladies in this section of the country are more lib- 
eral and sociable, and chat more to the soldiers of the suffer- 
ing and hardship they went through, than any other place we 
have come to. I think some of the ladies are falling in love 
with some of our men, and one of our men told me that he 
fell in love With one of the girls, and that as soon as he got 
home and discharged he was going to correspond with her. 
The treasures of the deep are not so precious as are the con- 
cealed comforts of a man's heart locked up in a woman's love. 
What say you, my friends ? 

In the evening Col. Wynkoop received a telegraphic dispatch 
from our other companies, stating that they had left Cincin- 
nati in the steamboat " Jewess," and would be here (Beaver) 
to-night or to-morrow morning. 

Saturday, July 15, 1848. — This morning we still find that 
the other companies have not made their appearance. We 
waited until i o'clock, p. m., when we moved off from the 
shore, and left with cheers from the citizens on shore as well 
as from the soldiers on board. We passed Rochester, Free- 
dom, Economy and other small villages. At all these towns 
the people crowded on the wharves and along the river shore, 
cheering and firing off cannons and other small firearms. 
Some of the ladies could be seen standing on house-tops 
waving their handkerchiefs in the air. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 599 

At Economy we stopped to take on wood. A notice was 
given out that we would stop here for about an hour, to give 
the " Jewess " a chance to catch up to us. This gave the 
soldiers a chance to get on shore and view the town, which 
lies along, and running parallel with, the Ohio river ; laid out 
with wide streets, and well shaded with fine large trees. It is 
about 1 8 miles from Pittsburgh. Through a conversation 
with one of its oldest inhabitants, I learn it was first built by a 
community called Harmony Society. 

This Society was first organized at Ephrata, Lancaster 
County, Pennsylvania, in 1703. They still talk what we may 
call the real Pennsylvania Dutch dialect language. They put 
me in mind more of the Lancaster County people than any 
other class I have had the pleasure to meet with. The women 
wear plain dresses, but neat, clean and Quakerish-looking 
bonnets, and the men wear broad-brim hats ; yet they are not 
Quakers. 

In 1803 this Harmony Society emigrated to Butler County, 
Pennsylvania, purchased a large tract of land, and built a town 
called Harmony. Here they were joined by Mr. George Rapp, 
a thrifty, intelligent German gentleman, and very popular man, 
who soon became their preacher and a great leader in their 
Society. In 18 14 they became dissatisfied with their location 
in Butler County ; sold all their lands and houses in Pennsyl- 
vania, and moved to the State of Indiana. They settled near 
the Wabash river, bought a large tract of land, and built 
another town called Harmony ; but they soon became dis- 
contented and demoralized, on account of the unhealthy 
climate and hostile feelings amongst their new neighbors, who 
did not want their Society in their State. 

In 1825 they again sold their houses and land, and went 
back to old Pennsylvania, and bought a large tract of land in 
Beaver county, and built this town Economy, where they 
remain to this day ; and by the looks of the town it plainly 
shows that they are industrious, persevering and frugal in 
their habits, and have proven an orderly, inoffensive and 



600 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

law-abiding people, and it would be a great blessing to this 
country if some more of our towns and cities were inhabited 
with some of the same material. There would be no occasion 
of having any lawyers, poor-houses, jails, etc. 

The people, as at Beaver, brought edibles, and particularly 
the ladies (God bless these dear angels). I cannot praise 
them too much. They seemed to be the only people who 
care and look into the welfare and comfort of the soldiers. 

I find the people here are great friends of Gen. Scott. They 
asked many questions in regard to his removal, and the 
opinions of soldiers of Gen. Scott. They were answered by 
the soldiers (as at many other places), speaking in the highest 
terms of Gen. Scott as a leader, and of his victorious cam- 
paign in Mexico ; the many obstacles and embarrassments, 
which were constantly thrown in his way by our jealous 
government, were all done for the purpose of breaking down 
Gen. Scott's popularity and fair name. We also style it out- 
rageous, unjust and infamous ; a reproach to our civilization ; 
a stigma of the deepest dye to our government forever. 

The steamboat bell now rung for all to get on board ; after 
which we started without waiting for the arrival of the 
" Jewess." We soon came in sight of the smoky city Pitts- 
burgh ; at which city we arrived at 4 o'clock, p. m. Here we 
found steamboats, and other water crafts ; as well as all 
along the wharves for miles the citizens had gathered. Also 
the housetops, doorways, windows, etc., were crowded to see 
the heroes of the Mexican war. The bands on the steamboats 
were playing stirring pieces ; winding up with " Sweet Home." 
The cheering and firing of cannons and other firearms was 
immense. The people were wild with enthusiasm. 

Before we were fastened to the wharf we were met by our 
Captain, William F. Small, who was was greeted with hearty 
cheers from his old company. We were all much pleased in 
seeing him again. He made a little interesting speech to the 
soldiers. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 601 

It will be remembered that Capt. W. F. Small left us at 
Jalapa City, Novamber 24, 1847, to take his seat in the State 
Senate, to which position he was elected October 12, 1847. 

The Captain informs us that there is great preparations 
being made in Philadelphia to receive the soldiers. We are 
now fastened to the shore, and ordered to land on the wharf 
and form into line ; when Judge Wilkins, of Pittsburgh, was 
introduced, and made a telling and applauding speech, touching 
upon our gallantry and triumphant achievements of our hard- 
ships, sufferings, etc., which was answered by Col. Wynkoop ; 
which speeches were received with great applause. After this 
ceremony was over we were ordered to march through several 
of the principal streets with our old torn banner unfolded to 
the breeze. 

We marched on and passed Lieut. -Col. Black's residence ; 
where an immense concourse of people had assembled, and 
who greeted us with hearty cheers. We gave Mrs. Col. 
Black three rousing cheers, which she received with a very 
polite bow, and waving her handkerchief. 

The streets we marched through were so crowded that it 
was almost impossible to get along, so anxious were the people 
to see the second conquerors of Mexico come. 

After marching through several streets we came back to the 
steamboat again, and there were dismissed for the balance of 
the evening and night. This caused a good deal of dissatis- 
faction among the soldiers, on account of the citizens of Pitts- 
burgh never saying once, will you take something to eat or 
even to drink ; a relish a soldier always expects to get, par- 
ticularly after marching in the hot sun. Some of our men 
were heard to swear and say that if they had known that 
they were to get nothing to eat or even to drink they wouldn't 
have marched through their black streets. Some had pies 
and cakes left that the people of Beaver and Economy had 
given to us, and we fell back on them, but those who hadn't 
anything left had to fall back on government rations. 



602 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

The ladies of Pittsburgh were very enthusiastic when we 
marched through their streets, but never so much as said 
"poor soldier, here is a cake or a cracker." We find the 
ladies of the country towns are more liberal and more real 
friends to the soldiers. Good-night, ladies and gentlemen of 
Pittsburgh; yowx generous Jiospitality and many kindnesses will 
ever be remembered by the soldiers of the Mexican War. 

Sunday, July i6, 1848. — This morning Gen. Robert Patter- 
son and the other long-looked-for companies arrived in Pitts- 
burgh. They report that four of their soldiers died on the 
way with diarrhoea. There is a good deal of grumbling 
amongst the soldiers on account of the treatment we received 
from tlie citizens. Those who have a little money left went to 
hotels and boarding-houses to take board. 

At 10 o'clock Capt. Small and our whole company attended 
church, which was crowded to overflowing. 

In the evening several of our officers held a meeting to 
decide whether to go to Philadelphia to be disbanded, or here 
in Pittsburgh. 

Monday, July 17, 1848. — This morning the officers decided 
to go to Philadelphia, there to be disbanded. This caused a 
good deal of dissatisfaction amongst some of our western 
companies, who wanted to be discharged here, and go home 
on their own hook. 

This afternoon we received orders to be on the packet boat 
at 6 o'clock this evening ; so we embarked and left the smoky 
city with no regret, or even a cheer. We passed several small 
towns and received small honors, but our fellows received 
them coolly, on account of being much dispirited at having 
nothing but government rations to eat. Gen. Patterson is on 
our packet. We have good accommodation on this boat. 

Tuesday, July 18, 1848. — This morning we passed through 
Leechburg, where I had the honor of again seeing old David 
Leech, the founder of the Pioneer and Leech & Co. lines of 
packets and freight lines. He is a stout, robust man, and has 
the appearance of a great business man. Passed several other 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 603 

small towns, and arrived at Blairsville in the evening. Here 
is where some of the people showed hospitality — offering to 
give our men supper if we waited ; but the captain of the boat 
would not consent to it. We halted about twenty minutes, 
and then left again. 

Wednesday, Jtily 19, 1848. — This morning we arrived at 
Johnstown, where the good citizens invited us to take break- 
fast, after which we took the cars and had a most pleasant ride 
through the most picturesque part of Pennsylvania; passed 
over ten inclined planes — up five and down five, all within 
about forty miles of road, to overcome the height of 2,570 feet 
of the Allegheny mountain, 1,398 being on the eastern and 
1,172 feet on the western side of the mountain. 

The Allegheny and Portage Railroad crosses what is called 
Blair's Gap Summit, passed through a tunnel of nearly nine 
hundred feet in length, through the mountains. We sweep 
around the curve over the viaduct at Horseshoe Bend in the 
shape of a semicircular arch of eighty feet span over the Cone- 
maugh river, which cost nearly ^55,000; passed over several 
other smaller viaducts, besides a number of culverts. 

On the Summit, the citizens had a fine dinner prepared for a 
company of the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
which started from this immediate neighborhood and is ex- 
pected to arrive every moment. As we passed they greeted 
us with three hearty cheers. We, of course, responded to the 
cheer, and at the same time told them that we were very sorry 
that we couldn't stop and take dinner with them, at which re- 
mark they took a hearty laugh; passed on and arrived at 
Hollidaysburg about 4 o'clock, p. m.; looked back on the mag- 
nificent scene, on range after range of mountains, woods over 
woods, rising in grand array in gay and theatrical pride before 
us. The citizens received us with hearty cheers, and offered 
us supper if we would stay, but our officers would not consent 
to the generous request. 

Hollidaysburg is a lively little town in boating season in 
transferring merchandise from boats to cars to carry over the 



604 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

mountains westward, and unloading it from cars into canal- 
boats to carry eastward. Here we again took the packet-boat 
and left Hollidaysburg, with three rousing cheers from the 
crowd on shore. They also cheered Gen. Robert Patterson, 
who is with us on his way home. Passed Frankstown — once, 
before the canal and railroad were finished, an important point 
on the road over the mountains. Passed Williamsburg, Alex- 
ander, etc. 

Since the- above has been written, the Allegheny Portage 
Railroad, from HolJidaysburg to Johnstown, and the western 
division of the Pennsylvania Canal, from Johnstown to Pitts- 
burgh, have all been adandoned and superseded by the great 
Pennsylvania Railroad route — the extensive inclined planes 
having been avoided by a gradual grade and tunnel under the 
Allegheny Mountains. 

Thursday, July 20, 1848. — This morning we arrived at 
McVeytown. Here I had the pleasure of meeting a good 
many of my old friends, who, as well as myself, were pleased 
at seeing one another again, having only time to say a few 
words and shake hands with them while the boat was passing 
through the lock, making me promise them that I would call 
to see them soon after my discharge in Philadelphia. As we 
passed out of the lock they gave us three hearty cheers. 
Passed on down the raging canal until about one mile above 
Lockport, or Three Locks, as some call it, where I first saw 
my brother Frederick on shore. I instantly jumped off the 
packet boat, and, of course, you can all imagine we were both 
much rejoiced in seeing one another again. The boat was 
going on, and I had only time to say a few words to him and 
give him a hearty shake of the hand, and hurried down to 
Lockport to catch the boat. Here I met some of my most 
intimate friends, who greeted me with great joy, and par- 
ticularly Dr. J. L. Ickes and family. More so by his beautiful 
and amiable daughter, Miss Catharine E. Ickes, who seemed 
to be much rejoiced and pleased in seeing me, and I could see 
by the bright sparkling of her eyes, the pleasing countenance 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. G05 

of her loving face, the movements of her rosy Hps, and the 
squeeze she gave me with her Hly-white hands, made an im- 
pression upon my heart that there was something more than 
a welcome — /. c, love. 

" Thus let me hold to my heart, 
And every care resign, 
And shall we never, never part. 
Oh, than my all that's mine." 

Goldsntith. 

Here and around this immediate neighborhood I spent the 
last part of my boyhood days ; here, in Robinson and Hoff- 
man school-house, so called — the latter now diin and old — 
where the ceiling was so low that a tall scholar had to stoop 
as he walked to his seat, I received the little education I am 
possessed of 

The romantic scenes now visible remind me of the many 
merry, happy days and hours I have passed in the good old 
times of our boyhood days. Here, when going to and from 
school, we used to pelt one another with snowballs — sliding 
on the ice and down the hills with our little sleds ; its memo- 
ries and recollections are ever near and dear to me, and I can- 
not, will not, forget them. Here the nightingale enchants 
you in the fine summer evening. Its picturesque scenery and 
the many happy hours I have passed here were frequently 
mingled with the dreams in camp and on the battle-fields and 
plains of Mexico. 

We passed on, and at the same time I explained to my com- 
rades the different points along the Juniata River, the very 
spot where old Fort Granville stood in 1756, the Indian mound 
near the locks above Lewistown, etc. 

Arrived at Lewistown about 3 o'clock, p. m. By referring 
back to the beginning of my journal you will see that at this 
town I first made up my mind to enlist in Capt. William F. 
Small's Company (C), First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
to serve during the war with Mexico, and it gives me pleasure 
to say I never regretted it. 



606 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Here we were informed that there was a break in the canal 
at the Narrows ; so we were obHged to remain here for several 
hours until the break was mended. This delay gave me an 
opportunity to call and see some of my old friends ; among 
them was Mr. John Colder, for whom, in 1845, ^ used to drive 
packet team, and whose son, Lloyd Colder, died at Perote 
Castle of San Carlos, Mexico. He was much pleased at seeing 
me, and made particular inquiry regarding his son, after which 
he took me to his house and introduced me to Mrs. Colder. 
After shaking hands and talking awhile she got on the subject 
of her son Lloyd. I informed her that I saw him buried with 
all the honors of war, and followed to his grave by nearly the 
whole garrison of Perote. She then burst into tears, and was 
much affected and grieved, as she loved Lloyd dearly. Seeing 
that she was much mortified I did not stay long. I left and 
called on different other friends, and my old bosom friend Mr. 
Smith, the boss blacksmith of the Pioneer Packet stables of 
Lewistown in 1845 ; talked with him and some of the packet 
drivers for some time, cracking jokes and telling stories, and 
how I used to ring the bell — notice to passengers that the 
packet boat is approaching, bringing out my three high-spirited 
greys, dashed over the canal bridge, cracking my whip over 
their heads, indicating to the packet's crew that old Santa (as 
they familiarly called me) with his greys was ready and would 
speedily take them to the next station, and so on until the 
very old bell rung for all the soldiers to get on board, and soon 
left Lewistown in the midst of cheers and clapping of hands. 

Late in the evening we arrived at Mifflintovvn. Here a large 
number of people had gathered to see us. Stopped a few 
minutes, receiving cheers and clapping of hands. 

" Comrades and friends, the glorious past recalls 

• Your well-known fields of baUle fought and won. 
Young, enthusiastic, eager, proud as you were then. 
Marched, stormed through the hills, the mountain passes climb, 
Camp on the streams through heat and storm, through fertile vales 
that flow 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 607 

From the broad beds of the everlasting snowy volcanic hills. 

Remember that we all were Uncle Sam's men there, 

And in the common glory had a share. 

The toils and hardships of battles and march endure ; 

Win glory on our way home, and your country's thanks secure." 

Pike. 
Friday, July 21, 1848. — This morning early we arrived at 
Dauphin, where we first heard the sad intelHgence of the death 
of Governor Francis R. Shunk. People came rushing from 
their humble cottages to the canal to see some of Uncle Sam's 
soldiers, clapping hands. -Passed on and arrived at Harris- 
burg about noon. After the boat was hitched fast, we stepped 
on shore, formed into line and marched to the Centre, or 
Market Square, where a fine collation, or dinner, had been 
prepared for the soldiers by the citizens of Harrisburg ; and, 
of course, having keen appetites, we partook of the edibles 
with good relish, for it has really been the first regularly 
cooked dinner we received on our homeward tour. They did 
not march us through their town, and then dismiss us without 
anything to eat, as was the case in Pittsburgh, but marched 
the boys direct to the well-supplied table. After having fully 
supplied the inner man, we were dismissed for the balance of 
the day. I must confess that the people of Harrisburg have 
shown us more friendly and generous hospitality, by uniting 
and giving the soldiers a fitting reception, than any other 
town on ouf way home, giving the soldiers most everything 
they wanted. Nearly all of our men received clean clothing, 
fine linen shirts, stockings, shoes, pocket handkerchiefs, etc. 
In fact, everything in the clothing and eating line that we 
stood in need of was cheerfully given by the citizens of 
Harrisburg. 

In the afternoon a delegation of citizens from Little York, 
Pa., accompanied by Sergt. Thomas Ziegle, Peter Ahl, 
Alburtus Welsh and Samuel Stair, called upon us. They came 
for the express purpose of taking charge of the dead bodies 
of William Eurick and Jacob Banner, who both formerly 
belonged to that patriotic little borough. 



608 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

I, of course, had an introduction to these gentlemen, and 
they were informed by Sergt. Ziegle and Peter Ahl that I was 
the man who furnished the best part of the money towards 
bringing the dead bodies of Danner and Eurick to Little 
York. They bursted into tears and thanked me most cordially, 
paid me back the amount laid out, and then again thanked 
me heartily for my kindness, and wanted me positively to 
promise them that I would call upon them when I got my 
discharge, to which I could not possibly make answer. 

We then took a walk around town, talking about the bloody 
battles fought in Mexico. And I assure you the inner man 
was well supplied with the best of wines and eatables ; after 
which we parted. 

In the evening we divided in different squads, and took 
supper at different houses. So the sociability and generosity 
of the good citizens of Harrisburg will ever be remembered 
by the soldiers of the Mexican war the longest day of their 
lives. 

Saturday , July 22, 1848. — This morning we were all formed 
into line, with our side-arms, to attend the funeral of our late 
Governor, Francis R. Shunk, which was largely attended, all 
business being suspended and the church-bells tolling dole- 
ful sounds. After the funeral was over we marched back to 
the railroad depot, where we got on the cars, and soon after- 
ward left Harrisburg, with three hearty cheers frpm the sol- 
diers of the Mexican war for the many kindnesses and liberal- 
ity the citizens have seen proper to bestow upon us. The 
cheers fairly echoed through the valley and shook the Susque- 
hanna River. We dashed along the Susquehanna River until 
the warning whistle blew, the engine slowly gliding along until 
we passed Middletown, then steadily increasing the speed 
until we are running at the rate of thirty to thirty-five miles 
per hour; dashed over a high bridge over the Conewago 
Creek, past trees and fences, farm-houses and splendid large 
barns, through deep cuts of rock — people standing and, no 
doubt, wondering what kind of men are these in the cars, all 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 609 

flitting by us like a fair vision gazing from the car-windows ? 
The whistle again blows, the train slacking up and stopping at 
Elizabethtown. This was the residence of my friend and 
messmate. Simon Schaffer, who died at Jalapa City, Mexico, 
May 13, 1847 — died more from grief and wearisomeness, 
which brings no joy to himself or his fellow-man. 

As soon as our iron horse had his drink we left and cautiously 
passed through the tunnel, after which we again went on full 
speed, whirling one time this way and another time that way. 
The engineer shut off steam and stopped at Mount Joy. Here 
the people came running from their cottage homes to see the 
soldiers — a part of Gen. Scott's army. The ladies greeted us 
with pleasing smiles, waving their handkerchiefs, and handing 
in the windows bouquets of flowers. 

As soon as our black horse had his sjuilc we left with great 
hurrah from the citizens of Mount Joy, passed over a fine bridge 
over the Little Chiques Creek, passing through a deep cut, and 
then slowly swept around the curve and arrived in Lancaster 
City about 3 o'clock, p. m. Here the people congregated in 
large numbers ; it being Saturday, and a festival day on ac- 
count of our arrival, had the effect of bringing nearly all the 
farmers in Lancaster County to the city, which infused new 
life and vigor and to welcome the soldiers. 

We got off the cars, forrned into line, and then marched 
through several of their principal streets ; and the streets 
we passed through were thoroughly packed with spectators; 
the housetops, doorvyays, windows, porticos were all jammed 
with senoritas and gentlemen; handkerchiefs fluttered in the 
air like so many bees; throwing flowers and beautiful bouquets 
at the soldiers; acrqss the streets and on the housetops waved 
flags and bunting and pictures of different generals, and along 
the whole route we were heartily cheered ; the citizens rushing 
in among our ranks, shaking hands, congratulating, and wel- 
coming the soldiers home. 

After marchipg around different squares we finally came to 
fi halt in front of the North American Hotel, fronting on North 
39 



610 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Queen street and the railroad track. Here Judge Ellis Lewis 
made his appearance on the porch or piazza, and made a tell- 
ing and remarkable good speech, welcoming the soldiers in 
the name of the citizens of Lancaster City to their hospitality. 
He referred at considerable length to the brilliant conduct of 
the sons of the old Keystone State, whose galaxy of heroes 
fought gallantly, manfully, under our glorious country's flag, 
and poured out their blood like water in defense of our 
country's cause. Upon its conclusion he retired amid great 
cheering and applause, and it was in a fitting manner responded 
to on our side by Gen. Robert Patterson, Cols. Francis M. 
Wynkoop and Samuel W. Black, who mostly referred to our 
fatigue marchings, our hardships, sufferings, and privations, 
which fall on the life of soldiers, our triumphant victories in 
Mexico, which was loudly cheered by the immense concourse 
of people assembled around the stand. I noticed the farmers 
paid close attention to what our officers said, and their whole 
conversation and remarks (in Pennsylvania Dutch) were " may 
God forever bless these gallant soldiers." 

After speech making was over the different companies were 
distributed to different hotels ; our company (C) took up our 
quarters at Mr. Hopel's hotel, right along the railroad track, 
now used by the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. as a passenger 
depot and ticket office. 

Here we have elegant quarters, a fine large room to sleep 
in, and receive the same kind treatment as at Harrisburg — 
giving the soldiers a supper that could not be beaten ; it con- 
sisted of all the best of edibles which Lancaster County is so 
famous in producing. Soldiers always have good appetites 
after a long march ; they soon made sad havoc among the 
rations. 

After supper was over, some took a walk around the city, 
while others, including myself, remained closely in our quar- 
ters, being much fatigued frpm our ride and march of to-day. 

In the evening a large number of the citizens called upon 
us, making inquiries of the number pf battles fought and about 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 611 

some missing soldiers who formerly lived in Lancaster, which, 
of course, was answered on our side the best we knew how. 

At lo o'clock, p. M., we were compelled to shut the door 
and retire for the night. 

Sunday, July 23, 1848. — This morning, after a good night's 
rest and sleep, we got up and washed ourselves ; after which 
we were ordered to sit down, and eat one of the best break- 
fasts we have had since we left our homes. It was what you 
might call a real old fashioned Lancaster county breakfast, 
plenty of everything and the best of food ; and, as soldiers are 
proverbially good at the mess table, and particularly when it is 
well supplied, they were not long making mischief among 
the supplies. After breakfast some of our men could be seen 
to make preparations to leave to-morrow morning; while 
others, by invitations of the citizens, went to churches and to 
private houses. 

In the afternoon Lieut. Haines, of our company (C), with a 
party of other soldiers, left Lancaster for the city of Phila- 
delphia. 

About 4 o'clock, p. M., Alburtus Welsh, John Newman and 
myself took a walk around the city, viewing the different 
points of interest, and I recognized great changes ; vacant lots 
were built up with fine houses, streets were extended, and new 
improvements everywhere. Some places were perfectly familiar 
to me, having trodden over them frequently when a boy. 

In the evening a passenger train came in from Philadelphia, 
bringing a large number of citizens from Philadelphia to 
escort the soldiers to that city. They informed us that the 
greatest preparatioi-j that ever was known is made in Phila- 
delphia to welcome the soldiers home. The whole volunteer 
division, the firemen and other societies will be out. That 
there will be an extensive dinner prepared for the soldiers at 
the Chinese Museum, on Ninth street, and ample quarters 
secured for us until our final discharge. 

On our strolling through town to-day, we were invited into 
stveral houses, where we had a pleasant chat on the topic of 
war with the citizens. 



612 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

In the evening again a large number of the citizens called 
upon us, making inquiries and asking many questions about 
the brilliant victories in Mexico. 

Lancaster I esteem as my home, and the memories of my 
early youth are ingrafted so deeply that I cannot and will 
not forget them. 

Yes, the home of my childhood in memory me thinks I can see, 

Those forms that in youth were familiar to me ; 

And oft on the tablet of memory I trace 

The image enshrined of each dear loving face. 

While we are lying here, it will probably not be out of place 
to note the early recollections of my boyhood days. It was 
in this town (Lancaster) and county, after we left Philadelphia, 
that I passed my early days, and the first memorable events 
and deeds of pleasure are from this town and county. In 
strolling through the town to-day, I looked with pride on the 
large brick church — English Trinity Lutheran Church — with 
its four figures or statues standing on pedestals, one on each 
corner, representing Faith, Hope, Charity and benevolence, 
and its high steeple, whose musical bells I often heard, and 
loved to hear ring. The corner-stone of this church was laid 
in May, 1761, and the debt of which was afterwards paid off 
by lottery, in 1807; over 6,000 tickets were sold, at thirty 
cents each. Also visited the old brick school-house, which I 
noticed had changed but very little in its appearance. In that 
old brick school-house I first went to the English school, 
where I learned my A B C's, and, I am sorry to say, scarcely 
anything more. Thus, my readers, you will see that my early 
education has been sadly neglected. 

Well do I remember the spring fairs, when the streets were 
crowded with people, and tables covered with all kinds of 
merchandise, sweetmeats, gingerbread, sweet beer, etc. ; how 
the young lads would save up their pocket-money to take their 
girls, neatly dressed in their linsey-woolsey short-jackets or 
gowns, to the fair, where dances were held in every tavern, 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 613 

Well do I remember the many dichoso (happy) hours I passed 
in and around that school-house ; well do I remember how in 
the streets we used to play soldiers (with Henry Dietrich our 
captain), Indians, clowns, horses playing in large rings, some 
playing hide-and-seek and listening to the many witch stories 
— how old women would pick up and carry off naughty little 
children, etc. 

" There's something within my heart I cannot forget, 
Where children's sweet memories stay ; 
And no music to me has a charm that thrills 
Like the voices of children at their play." 

Also went around to see the old stone house in Water street, 
near Chesnut street, where we used to live ; but I was surprised 
to see that it was torn down, and a brick house put in its stead. 
Well do I remember the great horse races they used to have 
here ; the numerous crowds and excitements ; the long string 
of Conestoga wagons, loaded with freight going east and 
west ; the number of droves of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, etc., 
going east. There was also a public execution, which took 
place on a large common near the race course. The doomed 
man's name was, I think, Schaffer. Being young and small in 
stature, I crawled in through or between the men's legs, and 
in this way I succeeded in working myself right in front of 
the line, where I had a full view of the manoeuvring of the 
soldiers and the executioners, and I can yet see the doomed 
man Schaffer coming in oh a wagon, seated on his own coffin ; 
getting up and off the wagon ; walking up with a firm step to 
the platform of the scaffold ; seeing the executioner putting 
the rope around his neck and placing the cap over his head 
and face ; seeing him drop, and heard the shrieks from the 
multitude of spectators. After hanging for nearly half-an-hour, 
he was taken down and buried. This was the first and last 
public execution I have ever seen in the United States. 

Parents soon afterwards moved into the country, into a small 
stone house situated near the banks of the Conestoga river or 
creek, near Earlville or Zimmerman Store, so called. 



614 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Here, at the age of nine years, I was bound out to a farmer, 
named Henry Grabill, to work for my clothing and victuals 
until I was fifteen years old. After the expiration of that time 
I was to receive a free outfit and again to be free. The agree- 
ment was also that I was to be sent to school regularly every 
winter; but, like most of the farmers in those days, took good 
care not to send the poor bound or peasant boys to school 
more than he could help, and, in consequence of this negli- 
gence, I never got much further in my learning than the 
Comly's or Cobb's Spellmg-book. 

Here is where I passed some obscwo (gloomy) and — it also 
gives me pleasure to say — many agreeable and happy days. 

Here is where I used to hear the robins, peewees, nightin- 
gales, whippoorwills and other birds sing in the free open air, 
and how often did I wish myself like the birds flying in the 
air — free again. As I worked day after day and year after 
year on the farm, I used to exclaim to some of our neighbors, 
that after I was free, I would never again work on a farm for 
the purpose of making my living ; that I look for a higher 
destiny than ploughing, hoeing corn, harvesting, etc., which 
assertion, thank God, has proven true, not having worked on 
a farm since my freedom — hurrah ! 

Well do I remember Henry Grabill's farm, where, in a little 
coach, I used to take the children to the fields, where we used 
to play. Now years have gone by since I worked on Gra- 
bill's farm ; all his children have grown up to man and woman- 
hood, yet it tells me of many happy days I have passed on 
and around the Grabill farm. 

The memories of my early life, the many pleasant enjoy- 
ments I passed in this beautiful county of Lancaster were, like 
other places, frequently mixed with the many suenos (dreams) 
during our campaign in Mexico. 

In 1840, parents again moved to the Three Locks above 
Lewistown, Pa., from whence, as already stated, in 1846, I 
enlisted in the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, for 
the Mexican war. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Left Lancaster in the midst of cheers — met with grand 
reception in philadelphia — a grand dinner at the 
chinese museum on ninth street below chestnut 
street speeches and songs suitable for the occa- 
sion — taken to third street hall, cor. third and 

willow streets receiving our discharge from the 

army bidding good-bye to our comrades list of 

names of the company those who died or were dis- 
charged from the army table of distance from 

vera cruz to the city of mexico — the formation of 

the scott legion twenty-fifth anniversary of the 

battle of cerro gordo speech on the occasion. 

Monday^ July 24, 1848. — This morning we were all up by 
I o'clock and took our breakfast, after which we got on board 
the cars, early as it was. The citizens came around the cars 
and in the cars to bid us good-bye. At half-past 2 o'clock the 
whistle of the locomotive blew, and off we started for Phila- 
delphia in the midst of cheers and applause from the citizens. 

At every station along the road the citizens gathered to 
welcome the soldiers home. Salutes were fired and cheering 
all along the road, and when we arrived at the head of the 
planes, in sight of Philadelphia, we could see the thousands of 
people and hear the roaring of artillery, which was the signal 
of our arrival at the head of the planes. At the foot of the 
inclined plane we were met by one mass of people, cheering, 
and all seemed full of enthusiasm. The tops of the cars, and 
platforms, and all along the railroad was crowded with people, 
and we soon arrived at the corner of Coates street and Colum- 
bia railroad — now called Pennsylvania avenue. Here we got 
off the cars and went into a large lot (N. E. corner) right op- 
posite the railroad and Coates street; remained here until the 
military, which was forming on Coates street, now Fairmount 

avenue, was ready to receive us. 

(615) 



616 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

About lO o'clock, a. m., we formed into line and marched 
through the whole volunteer division. The streets and side- 
walks were so densely crowded that it was almost impossible 
to get along. 

In fact, guards were stationed on our route of marching to 
keep the people from crowding in on us, so anxious were they 
to see the soldiers of the Mexican war. When we arrived at 
Front and Brown streets, there was great cheering and ap- 
plause for William Donegan of our company (C) with the flash 
word, " A bully snapper." We looked at one another with 
astonishment, to think of the idea that this man, Bill Donegan, 
a chronic grumbler, a man who has seldom ever done any duly 
or even fired off his gun in the whole Mexican campaign, 
should be received at different points with such honors, and 
patriots go unnoticed. 

The business was generally suspended, and all the houses 
along the route were crowded with spectators, and beautifully 
decorated with flowers and flags. The display or procession 
is considered greater than ever before witnessed in this city, 
and I heard several old gentlemen say that it beat the grand 
procession of Gen. Lafayette. After marching through several 
of the principal streets, we marched into the Chinese Museum, 
Ninth below Chestnut street, and sat down to one of the 
grandest dinners that ever was provided for distinguished 
pfuests. The best of edibles and the choicest of all the best 
wines. Speeches were made and songs sung by the citizens, 
but very little attention did we (the soldiers) pay to it, as it 
was all about the war of Mexico, which we all fully know by 
heart. After dinner was over, we were taken to the Third 
street Hall, below Willow street, kept by Gen. J. Hall, and 
were comfortably provided with rooms and good beds. 

In the evening we went into the city to see the fireworks, 
which were really magnificent and indescribable. The streets 
were so blockaded and crowded that it was almost impossible 
to walk with any comfort ; and, being much fatigued by our 
march to-day, we soon returned to our quarters, and got ready 
for a good night's rest and sociable sleep. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 617 

The following is the song which was sung at the Chinese 
Museum dinner. Its title is " Welcome " : — 

" Ve braves, whose hands on Mexico's plain 

Hath struck the blow for country's right, 
We bid ye welcome home again 

From the dark turmoil of the fight. 
Peace spreads once more her glowing wing 

Above our fair and happy land, 
And while we all her glories sing. 

We'll not forget her conquering band. 

Chorus. ■' 

A nation's hand, ye gallant band, 

Is stretching forth to meet you. 
To heaven's dome, a welcome home. 

Ascends from those that greet you. 

" Brave men your deeds will be retold 

When hands and hearts have passed away. 
And come, like pure and molten gold. 

The brighter from the last assay. 
Your names a grateful country writes 

Upon her fairest cherished scroll ; 
Cursed be the traitor lip that slights 

The words upon that sacred roll. — C/ionis. 

" What though your ranks the tale may tell, 

Of comrades left upon the field, 
It was in their country's cause they fell, 

A million hearts their requiems pealed. 
Go, soldiers, to your homes, and let 

Your battered arms be hung on high, 
Columbia's sons will never forget 

The braves who for their country die. — CJioriis. 

" What prouder theme for many a year 

Will wake the minstrel's growing strain. 
Will nerve the heart and start the tear. 

Or make the aged young again. 
Once more a welcome home, ye braves. 

Long shall your deeds remembered be. 
And may they, like uncounted waves. 

Roll back their brightness from the sea." — Chorus. 



618 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Tuesday, July 25, 1848. — This morning I did not get up 
until late, on account of our toilsome march in the hot sun of 
yesterday. After dinner several of us paid a visit to Chestnut 
street. Here we found the street densely crowded with people, 
and almost every soldier had a crowd around him, inquiring 
of the real facts concerning the Mexican war. Also inquiring 
of some relatives or son who fell or died in Mexico. 

In the evening our company received an invitation to go to 
the Chestnut Street Theatre. So at 8 o'clock we started, and 
as we entered we were warmly received by the audience by a 
cheering and clapping of hands. After it was nearly over we 
left for our quarters, Third Street Hall. 

Wednesday, July 26, 1848. — This morning I paid a visit to 
my uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. George Stiefel, who carry 
on a bakery at the corner of Schuylkill Second and Carlton 
streets (now Twenty-first and Carlton streets), but did not get 
to see him, on account of being out on business; but his 
wife, a tall, fine and pleasant woman, urged me to stay and 
take dinner with them, but I declined the kind offer and left, 
promising that I would call again to-morrow. 

In the evening a party of young men invited us to go down 
Chestnut Street, which we accepted, and they showed and 
treated us with all the kindness that was in their power to 
bestow upon us. 

Thursday, July 27, 1848. — This morning I again paid a 
visit to my uncle and aunt (Mr. and Mrs. Stiefel, who for- 
tunately this time I found at home). To my knowledge, I 
never saw my uncle before. He having always lived in 
Philadelphia, and our folks lived in tlie western part of 
Pennsylvania ; although, while boating, I often came to Phila- 
delphia, making inquiries of where he lived, but could never 
find anyone to tell me where they lived, until by good luck 
while in Mexico a comrade, named Mr. Frey, who, by-the-by, 
was also a baker, told me where he lived. He took a hearty 
laugh at the idea that I had to go all the way to Mexico to 
find out where he lived. He was pleased in .seeing me, and 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 019 

made inquiries about my mother (his sister), and also of the 
events and battles fought in Mexico. They both gave a 
listening ear to ev'erything I had to say. I stayed and took 
dinner with them ; and after several hours of pleasant chat I 
left, promising them that after I was discharged I would call 
and spend several days with them before I went out West. 

Friday, July 28, 1848. — To-day I did not go out of the 
hotel. So myself and half dozen others devoted our time 
nearly all day by setting in and around the reading-room, 
reading the newspapers and talking to the citizens who came 
to see us, asking many questions about the war, the removal 
and cause of the removal, of Gen. Scott. We told them that 
we did not exactly know the cause, but we supposed that 
politics was at the head of all the trouble, which mostly is the 
cause of all evil. 

No doubt Gen. Scott's brilliant achievement in conquering 
the Republic of Mexico in so short a time has made him one 
of the most popular men and leaders in this country, and it is 
reasonably supposed that his rivals and political enemies would 
connive and do most any dirty work to kill his popularity and 
fair name, and to prevent him (Gen. Scott) from receiving the 
nomination for Presidency, in which they did succeed, and 
nominated Gen. Zachariah Taylor instead. The removal was 
an outrage, and it will be a stigma of the deepest dye upon 
the administration of James K. Polk and his Secretary, William 
L. Marcy, as long as the nation lives. The soldiers love Gen. 
Scott, and every one that saw him will testify that he is every 
inch a soldier, and his men regard him with reverence and the 
greatest admiration. This evening it is rumored around the 
room, that we will be paid off, and receive our discharge 
to-morrow. 

Saturday, July 29, 1848. — This morning word is passing 
from one company's quarters to the other that we will all 
receive our pay and honorable discharge to-day. Good. P^X. 
this time several men came into our room talking, and offered 
to board four soldiers, who had no home in this city, for two 



620 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

or three weeks for nothing. Fortunately, nearly all of our 
company lived in Philadelphia, and had homes to go to. They 
sent them to me, saying that I was a stranger in this city, and 
had no home. They came to me and offered to take me with 
them, as soon as I get my discharge, and keep me free of 
charge for several weeks. I asked them what kind of a place 
it was, and where it was. They told me it was a tavern up 
town. This was enough for me. I thanked them for their 
generous and kind offer, saying that I had a place to go to 
spend several weeks on the same terms. 

At 1 1 o'clock, A. M , we received orders to have our muskets, 
accoutrements, etc., ready to hand over to the Quartermaster. 
At noon the Quartermaster made his appearance, when we 
were ordered to fall into line for the last time to answer roll- 
call, after which each soldier handed over his musket to the 
Quartermaster ; knapsack and blanket we were allowed to 
keep. 

After this we were handed our honorable discharge from 
the United States army. 

The men soon afterwards gathered in groups, talking of the 
past, and what they would like to do, and what they intended 
to do. 

They soon began to disperse in different directions, some 
going to their homes, while others, like myself, were hunting 
boarding-houses until they got something to do ; all bidding 
one another good-bye as they parted. 

It will be remembered that when we first started out into 
this campaign we were mostly all strangers to one another, but 
our long service in the Mexican War has formed such a deep 
affection of friendship ties in camp, on the glorious march, and 
on the battle-field, that nothing but death will ever break it. 
The parting was a brotherly feeling to one another, and par- 
ticularly among the few messmates left. 

Thus our enlistment and career as soldiers in the United 
States army of the Mexican War is ended, all well satisfied 
with the services and brilliant achievements they have rendered 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 621 

for our country, and to I, for one, it shall forever be my proudest 
aim and recollection of having been a soldier of that gallant 
little army, commanded by Gen. Winfield Scott, which invaded 
Mexico and conquered the land of the Montezumas. It shall 
also be my undiminished pleasure to point to the many bril- 
liant victories achieved in that campaign, and reviewing and 
looking upon the many historic scenes, its never-changing 
clime, its smiling plains, scenes both in art and nature on the 
historic volcanic mountains of snow-capped peaks ; the landing 
of our troops at Vera Cruz, the bombardment and surrender 
of that strong and well-fortified walled-in city, and many other 
scenes that filled the heart with wonder, admiration, and praise. 
Company C, as it was on New Year's Day, January ist, 
1847:— 

Captain, William F. Small. 
First Lieutenant, Aquilla Haines. 
Second Lieutenant, Casper M. Berry. 
Third Lieutenant, Henry Hunterson. 
First Sergeant, Oscar F. Bentson. 
Second Sergeant, David Ackerman. 
Third Sergeant, George Small. 
Fourth Sergeant, Joseph M. Hall. 
First Corporal, Andrew Wray. 
Second Corporal, James B. Wilson. 
Third Corporal, George Royer. 
Fourth Corporal, Joseph Foust. 

Privates : — 

Oliver Amey, John Kritser, 

Peter Ahl, George Kelly, 

Thomas Bruster, Samuel Linton, 

Edward Budy, George W. Lewis, 

William Barns, Roland C. Malone, 

Charles Burns, William Mullon, 

John Begley, Charles Mason, 



622 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 



Privates — Continued : — 



John Bonner, 
William Briggs, 
Robert Brown, 
Louis Bymaster, 
Moses Bentley, 
John Barr, 
Francis Cannon, 
John G. Craig, 
Joseph Campbell, 
Henry Cornish, 
Daniel Craver, 
Charles Collison, 
Jeremiah Corson,. 
Daniel Cruthers, 
George Carrey, 
Jacob Danner, 
Alexander Devlin, 
Gabriel A. Dropsie, 
William Donegan, 
William Eurick, 
Joseph Funston, 
William Fennemore, 
Stephen Gosett, 
John Gill, 
Henry Handly, 
John B. Herron, 
Dayton Huston, 
George W. Haigh, 
Christopher Hill, 
Daniel Hamilton, 
Augustus Jordon, 
John Johnston, 
Charles A. Jones, 
George Keime, 



William McDonald, 
Alexander Mervine, 
John Newman, 
George Nightlinger, 
Thomas O'Neil, 
J. Jacob Oswandel, 
John Patton, 
John Perfect, 
William Patterson, 
Robert Patterson, 
Henry Roscoe, 
William Rolett, 
Simon Schaffer, 
George Sutton, 
Samuel Stair, 
John R. Schultz, 
Morris Stemler, 
Allen Swartz, 
John Sheldon, 
Hosea Snethern, 
Charles Smith, 
John Shoppen, 
William Ford, 
Joseph C. Taylor, 
Theodore Watson, 
Alburtus Welsh, 
Thomas Whitam, 
Edward Wilson, 
George Wilhelm, 
John William Walker, 
Thomas Williams, 
John Wells, 
Thomas Zeigle. 

Total privates, 8i men. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 



628 



Company C, as it was on New Year's Day, January i, 
1 848 :— 

First Lieutenant, Aquilla Haines. 
Second Lieutenant, Joseph M. Hall. 
First Sergeant, Thomas Zeigle. 
Second Sergeant, Joseph Foust. 
Third Sergeant, Peter Ahl. 
Fourth Sergeant, Christopher Hill. 
First Corporal, Joseph Campbell. 
Second Corporal, George W. Lewis. 
Third Corporal, J. Jacob Oswandel. 
Fourth Corporal, Roland C. Malone. 

Privates : — 



John Bonner, 
Louis Bymaster, 
Francis Cannon, 
John G. Craig, 
Charles Collison, 
Jeremiah Corson, 
Daniel Cruthers, 
George Carey, 
Alexander Devlin, 
Gabriel A. Dropsie, 
William Donegan, 
William Fennemore, 
George W. Haigh, 
Augustus Jordon, 
George Keime, 
John Kritser, 
Samuel Linton, 
John Newman, 



George Nightlinger, 
Thomas O'Neil, 
William Patterson, 
Henry Roscoe, 
George Sutton, 
Samuel Stair, 
John R. Schultz, 
Morris Stemler, 
Allen Swartz, 
Hosea Snethern, 
Joseph C. Taylor, 
Theodore Watson, 
Alburtus Welsh, 
Edward Wilson, 
Ex-Corp. James B. Wilson, 
George Wilhelm, 
Ex-Sergt. Henry Cornish. 
Total privates, 35. 



Transferred to other Cojnpany : — 
Sergeant David Ackerman, Private John Johnston. 

Members of the Company on Detached Duty : — 
Alexander Mervine, John Perfect. 



624 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

■ "■-> 

Deserted : — 

William Barnes, at Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 22, 1846. 

William Rolett, at New Orleans, La., Jan. 14, 1847. 

William Ford, " Jan. 15, 1847. 

John Gill, 

Oliver Amy, 

Charles Burns, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, Mar. 20, 1847. 

William Golchier, at Castle Perote, Mexico, June 7, 1847. 

Dh'd.— 

John Sheldon, May 6, 1847, at the city of Jalapa, Mexico. 

Simon Schaffer, May 13, 1847, " " 

Thomas Brewster, June i, 1847, at Castle of Perote, Mexico. 

Robert Brown, June 12, 1847, at the city of Jalapa, 

Thomas Williams, June 25, 1847, ^^ Castle of Perote, " 

Andrew Wray, July 15, 1847, " " 

John Begley, July 28, 1847, " " " 

Charles Mason, July 28, 1847, at ^^^ city of Puebla, '* 

Dayton Huston, July 30, 1847, " " " 

Edward Budy, Aug. 7, 1847, " " " 

Charles Smith, Aug. 15, 1847, ^t the Castle of Perote, " 

William Briggs, Aug. 31, 1847, at the city of Puebla, " 

Jacob Danner, Sept. 10, 1847, " " " 

William Eurick, Sept. 28, 1847, 

John B. Herron, Nov. 25, 1847, " " " 

Discliarged : — 

Lieutenant Casper M. Berry, April 6, 1 847, at the city of Vera Cruz. 

Corporal George Royer, " " 

William McDonald, 

Moses Bentley, 

John Barr, 

George Kelley, 

John Shappa, May 20, 1847, " " 

J. Samuel Whitam, " 

Stephen Gossett, " " " 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 



625 



Discharged — Continued : — 

Robert Patterson, June 6, 1847, at the castle of Perote. 

Daniel Craver, " 

J. William Walker, 

John Patton, 

Robert Brown, " 

Sergeant George Small, " 

Henry Handly, October 30, 1847, 

Charles A. Jones, " 

Sergeant Oscar F. Bentson, " 

Lieutenant Henry Hunterson, November 8, 1847, at the castle 

of Perote. 
Captain William F. Small (on furlough), November 24, 1847, 

at Jalapa City. 
William Mullon, November 30, 1847, at the castle of Perote. 
Corporal Roland C. Malone, February 2S, 1848, at San Angel, 

Mexico. 



Table of Distance from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico :■ 

To Camp Vergera (Gen. Twigg's encampmen 

Rio Medio, 

Santa Fe, ..... 

San Juan, ..... 

Puenta de las Vegas, 
Puente Nacional (National Bridge), . 
Plan del Rio (The River of the Plain), 
Cerro Gordo Pass (battle-ground), 
El Encero (Gen. Santa Anna's residence) 
Jalapa City, 
La Banderilla, . 
San Miguel barracks, 
La Hoya Pass, 
Las Vegas, 

Cruz Blanco, or White Cross, 
Perote Castle and Town, . 
40 



it), 3 miles. 




3 " 


6 


4 " 


10 


8 " 


18 


1 1 


29 


6 " 


35 


II 


46 


2 


48 


12 " 


60 


9 " 


69 


6 " 


75 


4 " 


79 


5 " 


84 


7 " 


91 


6 " 


97 


9 " 


106 



626 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR 



Table of Distance from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico 
( Continued)^ 
To Tepegahualco, 

" Ojo de AgLia (The Eye of Water), 

" Nopalucan, 

" El Pinal Pass, 

" Acajete, . 

" Amozoquco, 
" " Puebla City, 

" San Martin's, 

" Rio Frio (Cold River on top of Mountain) 

" Venta de Cordorea (Town of Cordorea), . 

" Ayotla (where Gen. Scott countermarched) 

" El Penon Pass (Gen. Valencia's fortification), 

" City of Mexico, or Halls of Montezumas, 



19 


' 125 


21 


146 


9 ' 


' 155 


8 ' 


' 163 


7 ' 


170 


8 ' 


' 178 


II 


' 189 


22 


211 


18 ' 


229 


1 1 


240 


10 


250 


9 ' 


' 259 


8 ' 


267 



The end of my " Notes of the Mexican War." "Oh, dear is 
the tale of the olden times." J. J. O. 



Strife and Prosperity in Time of Peace. 

After my discharge from the army I visited my parents and 
friends in the western part of Pennsylvania ; after which I 
returned and settled myself down in Philadelphia to stay, and 
after six months' rest I obtained a situation on the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad, followed railroading in different capacities 
until 1853, when soon afterwards I was married to a lady of 
this city. I started into business ; and, by strict and close 
attention to business, and by frugality and economy, proved to 
be successful. So much so that I have accumulated enough 
to retire from business ; not in rolling wealth but in comfort- 
able circumstances, and taking the world easy. 

" I am not what the world counts rich ; 

Houses and lands I have not much in store, 
But blessed with health and contented mind ; 
I neither ask nor crave for any more." 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 627 

In i850the Scott Legion was formed, of which I call myself 
an ardent member, and take an active and deep interest in all 
its proceedings. 

It is composed of all the regulars and volunteers who have 
served on the soil of Mexico in the war against Mexico, and 
received an honorable discharge. It was first called the 
Pennsylvania Legion, but was soon changed to Scott Legion, in 
honor of our gallant old Commander, Gen. Winfield Scott, 
who was a life member. This change of title was done so as 
to take in both regulars and volunteers. This association was 
formed and instituted for social purposes, to keep fresh the 
memories of the brilliant achievements, and to celebrate some 
of the victories won in Mexico. 

In 1852, through the aid of Pennsylvania and the citizens of 
Philadelphia, we secured a birrial-ground, built a large vault 
and erected a fine monument in Glenwood Cemetery, costing 
over ^4,000, under which the remains of many gallant heroes 
are deposited. 

At the death of a comrade the Scott Legion turns out with 
a band of music and a firing party, and pays the last fitting 
honors at the funerals of their deceased soldiers, who have 
fought life's battle to the end. 

Our regular meetings are the first Saturday of every month, 
unless special business calls it between. The Legion before 
the late rebellion generally attracted popular attention on 
occasions of parade, when they always presented a gentlemanly 
and soldierly appearance, and at the outbreak of the Civil War 
they, including your humble servant, nearly all enlisted in the 
services of their country's flag ; and, being veteran soldiers of 
a victorious campaign, they found ready situations at the 
hands of our government ; and many, some of our best men, 
too, fell while gallantly protecting our flag they so proudly 
carried from Rio Granda to Buena Vista, from Vera Cruz to 
the capital of Mexico and back to the United States. 

April 18, 1872, the Scott Legion gave a grand banquet in 
honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the famous battle of 



628 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Cerro Gordo. The tables were gems of neatness, and groaned 
under the weight of many good things. After supper I was 
called upon, by Col. A. H. Reynolds, President of the Scott 
Legion, to respond to the toast of our absent members. This 
was not only unexpected but I was unprepared to make any 
appropriate remarks to such a toast. And after apologizing for 
the surprise, and also for the unexpected call for a speech I 
responded to the toast as follows : — 

" Comrades : — We have assembled here to-night, what for ? 
Not to talk about any of the political issues of the present day, 
nor anything that happened in the late rebellion, but to talk 
about what happened to-day twenty-five years ago — a long way 
ahead, but a short way back. It is now nearly twenty-seven 
years since our gallant and patriotic young men left the soil of 
Pennsylvania and other States to answer their country's call 
" to rally around their glorious country's flag," then insulted 
and trampled under foot in a hot and tropical climate ; men 
who forsook their comforts of home, their wives, children, 
relatives and sweethearts (God bless them) — (laughter) — the 
society of friends to exchange their comfortable firesides and 
feather beds for the foreign, untented fields of Mexico, and to 
pour out their blood like water in defence of our country's flag. 
(Cheers.) 

" Twenty-five years ago to-day, on a beautiful Sabbath 
morning, the battle of Cerro Gordo was fought ; it was the 
second grand victory of our army under Gen. Scott in that 
campaign. We don't celebrate this battle as if it was the only 
victory gained in that campaign. Oh, no; there were other 
battles fought before and afterwards, just as gloriously fought 
and victoriously won as the battle of Cerro Gordo ; but none 
so brilliant. It was like the battle of Gettysburg in our late 
rebellion, or like Sedan in P'rance ; it so shocked and dis- 
couraged its backers, demoralized their armies, and, like the 
wind amongst the dry leaves in autumn, scattered them all 
over the land — (applause) — captured a whole division of 
prisoners, 43 cannons and ^60,000 in specie. 




MONUMENT TO THE SOLDIERS OF THE MEXICAN WAR, 
GLENWOOD CEMETERY, PHILADELPHIA. 



680 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

" It is a well-known fact that, had Gen. Scott his com- 
plement of troops which at Vera Cruz were promised him, he 
could, after the battle of Cerro Gordo, have marched on to the 
capital of Mexico without the firing of a single gun, or the loss 
of a single man. (Cries of ' That's so.') But jealousy, and 
other obstructions which we all know, were then cast in our 
way, of which I will not now argue. 

" At Puebla, our army, under Gen. Scott, was compelled to 
halt, to recruit in health and strength, until the 7th of August, 
1847, when he, in full glee and confident in the number of his 
men and sure of victory, again marched, and led his hardy 
veterans on towards the capital of Mexico. [Applause.] 
■ " Victory had already perched upon our banners; Vera Cruz, 
Cerro Gordo, Jalapa, Perote and Puebla Cities were won. Now 
all were anxious to march on and capture the famous Halls of 
the Montezumas. [Applause.] 

" Gen. Santa Anna was strongly entrenched around his loved 
and boasted capital, surrounded by his splendidly-uniformed 
staff, his glittering lancers and the flower of his army ; he was 
sole master of the city of Mexico. Straight for that ancient 
city our army marched — left a jealous foe behind us at Wash- 
ington, communication in our rear cut off, a united and hostile 
enemy of over six millions of people before us — a little band 
ot ten thousand men — truer and braver men never shouldered 
a musket or carried a sword — men who had confidence in their 
commanders, and commanders had faith in their men — men 
with patriotic hearts, and resolute and fixed determination on 
their minds, resolved to march on to the capital of Mexico, 
and, like the first conqueror, either conquer or die in the land 
[Cheers and applause.] — marched on as bravely and enthusi- 
astically as if garlands, laurel-wreaths and evergreen arches 
awaited them in the capital, instead of a powerful and well- 
disciplined army more than three times our number. [Ap- 
plause.] On they marched, step by step ; the burning sun of 
ficrra ca/ie'nUs had bleached and bronzed our bright northern 
faces and flashed upon our bright bayonets and sabres. On 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 631 

they marched, and, Hke the great Napoleon in Egypt, carrying 
everything before them by storm and in the face of extraordi- 
nary odds, the strongest position for defence in their country — 
capturing thousands of prisoners, cannon and ammunition — 
without a single defeat or the slightest check, driving the 
enemy from their entrenchments, forts and fortifications, some 
were almost impregnable, until, on the 14th of September, 
1847, when Gen. Winfield Scott — like Saul of Israel, a head 
and shoulders above all his staff officers — rode at the head of 
our little army (then dwindled down, from carnage and disease, 
to six thousand men)^ fatigued and exhausted from marching 
and numerous battles engaged in in the valley ; men who 
scarcely had shoes on their feet or clothing on their backs ; 
men who had no pay*for four or five months nor no more than 
half enough at any one time to eat ; marched triunnphantly 
into the main plaza of the city of Mexico, a populous city of 
over 200,000 souls, and planted our country's glorious flag 
upon the Halls of the Montezumas. [Great applause.] It 
was the first strange flag that waved over its capital for over 
three hundred years. [Applause.] 

Oh yes, some of our comrades will yet remember when Gen. 
Scott rode from regiment to regiment, thanking God and his 
heroic men for their brilliant victories ; and when he came to 
the rifle Voltigeur regiment — a regiment that lost nearly all its 
commissioned officers and more than one-half of its men — he 
noticed their thin ranks and shattered banners and wept, say- 
ing, " You have gone through fire and blood and have come 
out steel." [Applause.] Who has ever heard of more heroic 
deeds ? who has ever read of more triumphant achievements ? 
I have not, and it remains for future historians to give a cor- 
rect idea of the Mexican war. There is not a parallel in all 
the bright pages of the history of the world like the campaign 
of Mexico. [Applause.] 

" Yet in the face of all these brilliant achievements, staring in 
the eyes of our people, we are not recognized by our govern- 
ment. Yes, I regret, and it pains my very heart, to say that 



632 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

our government is still ungrateful. To-day men who have 
never fired off a gun, or even shouldered a musket, or left 
their casa, are pensioned by the National as well as by the 
State Government ; and men who went over two thousand 
miles from home to defend and battle for our flag, then trail- 
ing in the sand and dust in a tierra calientes, are looked 
upon as nothing ; and, in fact, almost forgotten. [Cries, that 
is so, and applause.] 

" Comrades do not understand me to say that I find fault in 
these old men getting their pensions- and just dues. God 
forbid, but 1 do find fault with our Government and the people 
in appreciating our hardships, privations and victorious 
achievements so little. [Applause.] 

I feel proud that I had the honor of serving in that grand 
army, the army of invasion. Its deed and victory will forever 
remain pure and untarnished. They are incorporated in the 
history of our country, and happy do I feel ; proud may any 
man be who transmits to his prosterity the proud and un- 
separable honor of having been a veteran soldier of the 
Mexican war. 

" The result of the Mexican war gave an immense territory 
to the United States, captured an empire larger than Hanni- 
bal, Alexander the Great or Napoleon combined ; nearly three 
hundred and sixty-four million acres of land, in mineral, agricul- 
tural, forest and pasture, the richest and the most prolific in 
the world, derived from it millions upon millions in gold and 
silver. [Applause.] 

" It has forever settled the boundary line of the Lone Star 
of Texas. It gave us a railroad route from the shores of New 
England to the golden sand on the Pacific coast. It gave us a 
direct route to China and the East Indies. It gave us one of 
the finest harbors in the world. Such was the work of the 
Mexican veterans. 

"That campaign, and conquering the whole republic of 
Mexico, has cost the life of many a good soldier, and the women 
throughout our land, like Rachel, wept for their lost husbands 
and children. 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 



633 



"No tombstone or monument there, to point out to the 
traveler who may pass through that country— the land of 
bloom and sun— the resting-place of these heroes' ashes. 

" No memory day there; no living hand offers them flowers 
over their graves; truer and braver men never died. No kind 
relation or sympathizing friend brought their remains back to 
the resting-place of their fathers; and the only testimonial in 
memory of our fallen comrades in Mexico, is the monument 
erected by the State of Pennsylvania on Capitol Hill at Harris- 
burg, and one by the Scott Legion of Philadelphia in Glenwood 
cemetery; the former to the memory of those who gave up 
their lives for our country's flag in Mexico, and the latter to 
those who have died since the war with the republic of Mexico. 
" Year by year our thin ranks grow thinner and thinner. 
To-day there is not more than one hundred men left of our 
regiment, which was nearly one thousand strong. 

" Few of our gallant men have lived in an era of wonderful 
advancement and progress. Towns have grown to be large 
cities, and towns and cities have sprung up in the wilderness 
and the desert. Men of my 'age have witnessed the extra- 
ordinary changes in the interests of the world. We saw the 
first steam vessels, the first railroad, the first telegraph wires, 
and we all know that the ocean deep is laid with telegraph 
cables; and, as I said before, our whole country is spanned by 
a continuous railroad, from the rock-ribbed shores of New 
England to the Pacific coast. We have seen the first free 
schools, and, here lately, our own country a real, free, and 
independent government. [Cheers.] 

"Yes; to-day every man, woman, and child, black or white, 
is as free before the eyes of our laws as you or I, thanks to our 
late lamented President, Abraham Lincoln, our grand army of 
the Union, and the loyal people who sustained him in carrying 
out the first fundamental principle and clause of our Constitu- 
tion—equal rights and justice to all mankind. [Great applause.] 
Cries of " Go in, Jake." [Laughter.] 



634 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

" Now for the absent members. Previous to the late rebellion 
our association, the Scott Legion, numbered over two hundred 
members ; now it is reduced down to fifty ; yet we have a 
representation from almost every regiment that participated in 
those eventful scenes of strife, who meet to renew that friend- 
ship formed during the hardships and perils in the Mexican 
War. 

" Where have our other comrades gone to ? I will explain. 
Nearly all are dead. Many of them, and some of our best 
men too, fell in our dear land, where the best blood of the land 
was poured out in* four long years of bloody and wicked war. 

" Few are amongst us whose lives have been spared. Some 
have' shattered limbs and disfigured heads. But, thank God, 
these bad and wicked men, with their hellish design — men 
who held high position in the gift of our people — men whom 
our government protected and educated — men who have been 
fattened with plunder, and accumulated spoils of years past — 
men who raised their rebellious yells of madness and despair, 
with wickedness and violation of all law and order against the 
best government in the land, have been subdued (cries of 
' Good ') ; and the flag, the emblem of which we proudly and 
triumphantly bore from Palo Alto to Buena Vista, from Vera 
Cruz to the capital of Mexico ; and in the late rebellion, again 
and defiantly waves over every foot of territory in the United 
States. (Applause.) 

" Yes, comrades, to-day every field and staff officer of the 
First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (the regiment I 
belonged to) are amongst the dead. Every commissioned 
officer except one of our company is dead. My early com- 
rades-in arms, my mess-mates, where are they to-night ? Echo 
answers, ' Nearly all dead." Many of them are lying beneath 
the sod of the sandy plains and hiU of Mexico, whose bones 
long since have mingled with the dust of the field upon which 
they offered up their lives for their country's flag. Others in 
our late domestic struggle fell ; others in some far distant 
clime do live ; others, again, in our cemeteries around us cold 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 635 

do lie ; and I (looking around the room) alone am here of our 
company to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the battle of 
Cerro Gordo. 

" Oh ! comrades, think of it, how fast we are thus passing 
away ; and 25 years hence, few of us will be left to tell any of 
the glorious victories that took place in the Mexican war of 
1 846- 1 847- 1 848. (Applause.) 

" I was going to say something of our late rebellion, but I 
shall not lift the curtain from the bloody streams of the bloody 
fields of strife. Oh, no ! on the contrary, I feel more like 
closing my eyes to that dreadful carnage. Our own vacant 
chair in my father's and wife's household, and the over 
300,000 men who fell throughout our land under our' flag, 
that our country may live, serve to remind us of the fearful 
cost of preserving the unity of this nation. 

" Thank God ! we are now at peace with the whole world. 
Let our prayer ever go up that we shall never again see or 
hear the thundering of artillery, the cracking and snapping of 
shells over our heads, and the rattling of musketry against our 
fellowmen ; that we shall forever have but one country and 
one flag, and the peace we now enjoy may be perpetual. 
(Applause.) 

" Thanking you, comrades and friends, for your enthusiasm 
and the kind attention you have given to my first unexpected 
and unprepared speech." 

Optimism. 

Mr. Marvin Scudder, Jr., late of Co. K, Fourth Regiment 
Illinois Volunteers, now of Juniata, Neb., writes quite a his- 
toric sketch of Mexico in the " Vedette," of Washington, 
which meets with my hearty approval and deserves to be 
quoted. 

We find Mexico before the war a vast domain, claiming, it 
is true, to be a republic, but having hardly one attribute be- 
longing to a true republican government. Cortez made his 
conquest, and at the same time the civilization of old Spain, 



636 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

as it then existed, was introduced so far as the conflicting in- 
terests of contending chieftains would admit ; but the insta- 
bihty of government forbade advancement. The history of 
Mexico is a continued recital of feudal warfare and bloodshed. 
Cortez held sway only by the influence of the sword, and from 
his time it was the only credential to power. Revolution suc- 
ceeded revolution, and anarchy held sway ; there was constant 
discord, revolt and internecine war, and the land was drenched 
with human blood. Every section had its ruined castle and 
the legend of its slaughtered chieftain. 

Art. science and agriculture were at a standstill, and had 
been for generations. The architecture of the feudal ages was 
still in vogue, and every house was a citadel, with massive 
walls and battlements, with ponderous doors, with bars and 
bolts, not to protect from foreign, but domestic foes. The 
same jog-wheels were used for their carts, a pointed stick for 
a plow, the volante their pleasure vehicle. 

The husbandman had no courage to plant, for he knew 
not what day his harvest would be trampled by contending 
a'rmies. Art had no inspiration, for the people were watching 
the movements of opposing factions. Mind had no field of 
labor, for it was fettered by the chains of bigotry. Science 
and education lay dormant ; there was no incentive to advance. 
Thus all the energies of the people lay stagnant, and, as a 
natural consequence, vice and immorality held high carnival. 

The government held nominal sway over avast domain, but 
a small portion of which had been wrested from the hand of 
the savage, and fully half her possessions were overrun by 
bands of wild and barbarous Indians ; while slavery, as 
absolute and debasing as the slavery of the African, existed in 
her system of peonage. 

God had a work here, too, to be accomplished. This great 
nation, so susceptible of advancement ; this vast domain, so 
rich in agricultural and mineral wealth, so needed by the pro- 
ducing classes ; a coast abounding in such capacious and 
commodious harbors, so needed by the commerce of the 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 637 

world, must all be redeemed from the lethargy and thraldom 
that had so long held them bound. This chrysalis must be 
burst and the imprisoned being of such exceeding beauty 
must be released to spread its broad wings and exult in all the 
bright beauty its Creator had endowed it with. 

The Mexican war was God's plan for accomplishing all this. 
Let us trace the course of that war, and see if an overruling 
Providence did not direct each movement and give the victories. 

Glance at that vast territory, with all its resources, its large 
and well-equipped army, familiar with every road and moun- 
tain pass, with full knowledge of where an attack could be 
made or an advance repulsed ; with all her wall cities, her 
fortified passes and strongholds ; and then at the small army 
that entered her borders to vanquish her hosts, to vindicate 
the honor of our country and establish her rights, entirely 
ignorant of their language, their character, their habits and 
their power of resistance ; and yet, from the first gun at Palo 
Alto to the surrender of the city of Mexico, the command was 
" Forward," and step by step we made our advances, without 
one defeat, without one retreat. There is not a parallel in all 
the pages of history. 

It mattered not what numbers opposed, what walls reared 
their granite fronts, what strong passes bristled with bayonets 
and artillery, what impregnable fortresses belched forth their 
iron hail, and opposed our advance, they each in turn yielded 
to our invincible charges. 

The lines of the different invading forces were separated by 
hundreds of miles ; still this little army, scarce enough for an 
army corps in the war of the rebellion, made their victorious 
advances on all. Small detachments were left to garrison the 
captured towns, surrounded by multitudes of inhabitants, yet 
every place was held, and communication with the rear was 
never cut off, and s^pplies came regularly to the front. 

Then again, follow that army and note its influence on the 
inhabitants ; no outrage, no pillage, no oppression, the popu- 
lace mingled wi^|i the soldiers of an invading army in friendly 



638 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

intercourse ; and trade and traffic was uninterrupted. It is an 
indisputable fact that the people of the country felt more 
secure in person and property in the presence of an invading 
foe than they did under their own government. By this inter- 
course they realized their degraded condition and were in- 
spired with a desire for something better. 

Right then and there were sown the seeds of progress that 
have since sprung up, and are budding forth fr.iit, that will 
produce a wonderful yield in the harvest of the future. The 
lessons of progress and enterprise were then taught that are 
bursting the long, lethargic sleep of indolence, bigotry, super- 
stition, and arrogance that had bound it since the conquest by 
Cortez, and Mexico is now awaking to a new life ; her powers 
and capabilities expanding ; her government more secure than 
ever before ; religious freedom is gaining ground ; education 
has received a new impetus ; railroads and telegraphs are 
being built ; and she will soon take prominent position in the 
family of nations. 

Now, let us look at the territory acquired by the United- 
States by that war. It was conquered by Cortez as a part of 
the Aztec Empire, long before settlements began in the United 
States, but, except a few trading posts in Texas, New Mexico, 
and on the Pacific coast, it remained in the state of nature, 
occupied by roving savages, the home of wild beasts. 

It came into the possession of the United States, and lo ! 
what a change All the wonders of the Arabian Nights sink 
into insignificance in comparison with the prodigies brought 
forth by this modern Aladdin — the Mexican War. 

When he burnished his magic lamp, the genii of the moun- 
tains threw open wide the doors of their secret vaults and dis- 
closed to an astonished world such untold millions of wealth 
that the nations stood aghast and dumb with wonder. 

The genii of the plains spread out a panorama of such ex- 
quisite loveliness and beauty to the gaze of down-trodden 
husbandmen of every clime that a perfect torrent of the rich 
and poor of every name and nation has been rushing to their 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 639 

open arms and basking in the bright gleam of their smiles for 
thirty years, and still they spread their arms to welcome more. 

The genii of the streams make the hills and valleys ring 
with their wild mirth as they bid the manufacturers come and 
string their furnaces and looms along their banks. 

The genii of the forest and the quarries bid the architect 
come and rear the palaces and temples that are to decorate the 
emporiums of commerce and fashion that are to dot the wide 
expanse. 

The genii of the Pacific Coast spread out expansive harbors 
sufficient for the shipping of the world, and bid the storm- 
beaten mariner enter their broad portals and rest secure on 
their rippling waves, and the merchantman of foreign climes 
to come and traffic in their marts. 

It was the dawning of a new epoch in the annals of time. 
Science, art, genius, commerce, wealth, statesmanship, all seem 
at -that time to have crept from their cradles, thrown oft'" their 
swaddling clothes, and stood erect in the full stature and proud 
strength of manhood. 

The genius of the age is manifested in the grand strides of 
invention to meet the demands of the times. Jackson, while 
President, never saw a railroad ; and at least one member of 
our National Council at that time wended his weary way to 
the halls of Congress on foot, in his buckskin hunting shirt 
and leggings. In the days of Buchanan, members of Congress 
plodded along to the national capital in the old slow coach, 
and none hailed from west of the Missouri. Even Lincoln 
never heard of the telephone and electric lights. 

The spirit of the age is exemplified by the supplanting of 
the canal-packet and old Troy coach by the railroad, express, 
the telegraph, and telephone. 

What was the great important factor in bringing about this 
change ? I answer, the Mexican zvc^r. " Necessity is the 
mother of invention." The necessity for these advances did 
not exist until the wonders of this newly-acquired territory 
were spread to the v'w.}^. of the world ; and yet some of our 



640 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

" most wise and noble Senators " arise in their places in the 
National Assembly and proclaim the Mexican war an outrage 
on civilization ; and the men who were instrumental in bring- 
ing about the condition of things to produce these great results 
were worthy of bloody graves on that foreign soil, and should 
be stigmatized on the records of their country, and compelled 
to limp in penury and want to their graves unnoticed and 
unsung, and the fact of their having lived blotted from the 
page of history and the memory of man. I think at least the 
last part of the title applied by Lord Byron to Lord Bacon 
applies to them — " The greatest, meanest of mankind." 

But let us follow the train of circumstances as they occurred. 
To carry on the work in the way prescribed, it became, neces- 
sary for Texas to revolt from Mexico ; and, though she had 
maintained her independence for nine years and been acknow- 
ledged by European powers, as well as the United States, as 
an independent nation, still Santa Anna, like Pharaoh, had his 
mission to fulfil, and continued to devastate the country with 
his horde of minions, until Texas, in her exhausted condition, 
was compelled to appeal to the United States for succor. 

And now enters into the combination of events the only 
thing that produced the festering sore that so poisons the few 
who proclaim so loudly about the unholy and cruel war. 

Without doubt, the Southern States saw in this what they 
supposed to be the opportunity to bolster up their waning 
strength and fix on a firm basis their " peculiar institution," 
by which they were enabled to revel in luxury on the proceeds 
of slave labor ; a door was opened by which they hoped to. 
add slave territory to the Union. 

Texas, to give the United States unquestionable right to 
succor her in her distress, mijst apply for and be admitted into 
the Union, which was done. Tfien came the army of occupa- 
tion, then of invasion, and finally the conquest of the whole 
of Mexico. The United States had the power to dictate the 
terms of the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo, and could have 
demanded, and by the force of arms have Jield, the entire 



NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 



641 



domam , but the nat,o„ality of Mexico was not to be estin- 
gu,shed,_she had her mission to fulfil,_b„t a vast extent of 
her terntory, wh.ch, with all its untold wealth and beautj. was 
Iy.ng do,n,ant. must be wrested from her, that its vast resotnxes 

a d e^fif T'' ,'"'° "'' '°'' "'^ ■''d™"-"---'" of civ,li^ation 
and bench o „,ankn,d. Hon,es were needed for the down- 
rodden of the old world, and art, science and commerce 
needed a new impulse in their alloted labors 

The next step was the struggle over this newly-acquired 

wis Zm "■'' "''"^ "■ '"''^°"' 'ick.d'ug: the result 

was the Mrssour, compromise, the Kansas-Nebraska bill the 
John Brown raid, the rebellion, the emancipation proclama- 
tion and m that one manifest object of the great design aecom- 
phshed-the fall of the American slave system-mating w^.at 
was deemed the source of strength and perpetmtv the very 
instrument in its destruction. ' 

Now slavery has nearly accomplished her work ; the way is 
bemg paved the freed slave has been led up-shall we say 
through a Red Sea of blood-on the way to his promised land^ 
Shall we say that all this demanded the blood of sacrifices > 
\^here sha 1 we place all the host of brave heroes who laid 
dovvn the.r hves on the bloody plains of Mexico and bled so 
freely on the battle-fields of the rebellion ? 

One thing is evident: the assassination of Lincoln was re- 
quired to arouse the nation to a full realization of the animus 
that existed in the hearts of some, and the necessity of Guard- 
ing well the sacred boon of liberty, lest anarchy and tyranny 
usurp the government of our country. It required the sacn^ 
fice of Garfield, when we were lulled into a feeling of securitv 
to rouse the indignatron of all sections against such flagrant' 
disregard for human life. No one act has done more to amuse 
the whole nation and unite them in one common cause-thus 
paving the way for concert of action for the general good- and 
now we see men who stood opposed in battle arrav in' that 
fierce struggle, standing shoulder to shoulder, laboring harmo- 
niously to build up and strengthen our common country 
41 -^ 



642 NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Is there no design apparent in all this ? Is there not evi- 
dently an intended purpose to bring about by the combination 
a benefit to each, making each an indispensable auxiliary to 
the accomplishment of the whole? Has not God, in his own 
way, though to us apparently separate and distinct from each 
other, been using these forces in accomplishing a grand work 
for the benefit of man ? 

I have not the ability, nor need I try to portray the giant 
strides of progress since that war. The rush of improvements 
has proclaimed it the age of wonders ; scarcely has one won- 
der been accomplished till another has eclipsed it. Nor have 
I the prophetic vision to roll back the curtain that veils the 
future, and expose to mortal view the next great scene in the 
drama of the world, or what grand developments will be made 
in the dark land of Ethiopia; but I believe through the instru- 
mentality of the slave Divine light will be shed on that land,, 
i^ Egyptian darkness dispelled, and Christianity, education 
and enlightenment will occupy the throne of ignorance and 
idolatry. 

There is one consoling thought for us — that if our own 
generation fail to recognize our services in this great work, 
generations yet unborn in Africa and Mexico, as well as our 
own loved country, will reap the rich fruits of our labor and 
sing pagans to our memory. 



ERRATA. 



Page 13, line 13 — " Mary " should be " many." 

Plate of Battle of Cerro Gordo — "April 4" should be 
"April 18." 

Page 369, line 19 — " Sergt. Bill McMullin " should be 
" Sergeant J. Reynolds." 



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